Stoke City striker Bojan Krkic admits anxiety saw him turn down selection for Spain at Euro2008.

The former Barcelona starlet has spent this season on-loan at Alaves.

"Anxiety affects everyone differently," he explained to the Guardian. "It started in February and it lasted until the summer.

"When the Euros came I decided I couldn't go, that I had to isolate myself.

"Everyone at the federation knew."

Carles Puyol knew too and promised to help the teenager through the tournament, but Bojan simply couldn't.

"I said, 'Puyol, I can't'," he revealed.