蜜芽传媒

Twenty years ago Sonny Pike was seen as the next Diego Maradona, he had launched advertising deals with Coca Cola, McDonalds and had been signed by Ajax.

Ahead of the 1996 League Cup final, the crowd at Wembley were entertained by a twelve-year-old Pike as he showed off his skills on the pitch.

But Pike said at times he was standing on the pitch thinking "I just don't want to be here".

The pressure of his early career led to a mental breakdown and he now works as a London cab driver.

He said the football, advertising campaigns and media coverage were "too much for me as a kid".

Pike said parents shouldn't get "too carried away and push kids into academies" and wants to raise awareness about youth football.

This clip is originally from 5 live Breakfast on Sunday 28th February 2016.