The Ghana international is enjoying a purple patch, having scored twice in his past three matches - including the crucial first goal in their round-of-16 first-leg victory over Barcelona in the Champions League.

But reflecting on his earlier attitudes to professional football on Wednesday, the 26-year-old admitted he made mistakes due to wealth and fame going to his head.

"Only three years ago I realised what I am capable of and what level I could reach," Boateng conceded.

"Beforehand I was only a football player, I loved to play football but I was a child, I was young and I did many things you shouldn't do. So what could I say to a young player? It is difficult.

"If you are thrown into a pool full of money and you are playing in front of 80,000 people, it isn't easy, it wasn't easy for me. It was difficult.

"The only thing I can recommend is to keep your feet on the ground and keep working hard. That is the most important thing."

Boateng said he has developed a 'don't worry, be happy' philosophy that helps him keep his performances in perspective.

"I have always said you should laugh now and leave your crying till later. That's my motto in life, every day you should just laugh because there will always be time for crying later," he said.

"Well, I can't honestly say that I get up every morning and just laugh, needless to say there are sometimes things that annoy me, but I just try to look at everything positively and be happy.

"In any case the most important thing of all is to be healthy. Everything else - winning games, playing well, having the best partner in the world, your lad growing up nice and healthy - is a bonus.

"These are all things that make me happy. What's more, I don't want to see loads of negative things, and I try to shut out negative thoughts as quickly as possible."

Boateng has helped Milan into third spot in Serie A, while they are well poised to oust Barcelona from the Champions League in the last-16 ahead of their second leg at Camp Nou on March 12.

Milan are next in action on Friday night, when they visit Genoa in Serie A.