Tottenham striker Harry Kane says his release by Arsenal was the making of his career.
The England captain signed for the Gunners as a schoolboy in 2001 but was released soon after as the club deemed him "a bit chubby."
"It's been everything," Kane said of that first disappointment in an interview with the Times Magazine.
"I think people, when they see you playing for Tottenham or England week in, week out, believe that you just get there and that it's easy. You've got it all your own way.
"But a lot of people don't appreciate the impact of the knock-backs you go through."
"I got released when I was eight years old," Kane continued. "And at eight, you don't know how to react to that.
"Luckily, I had my family around to keep me concentrated.
"Since then, I've always had a chip on my shoulder. I've always wanted to prove people wrong. And prove to myself that I can do it, as well. I'm very competitive in everything that I do, sport or non-sport.
"I want to do my best and be the best."