Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari admits he is susceptible to emotional shocks as the reason for his unruly behaviour at times both on and off the field of play.
The new Al Ittihad recruit is unable to play for the Black Stars as he is still serving an indefinite ban from the team.
This ban was slapped on him by the Ghana FA for his attack on an official during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Muntari has on several occasions been also involved in altercations both on and off the field of play with officials, opponents, playmates and even friends.
The 30-year-old admits to this weakness and says it is the reason why he doesn’t pick phone calls from people other than his parents and wife ahead of games.
"I get emotional when people upset me and it affects me because I do not know how to pretend, its either me or not,†he told Kasapa FM.
“If I get angry before a game, I do stuff that are not cool.
“Because of this at home before games I do not pick calls because a call could change my mood and I do not like that. Before games I call my mom and dad and then my wife.
"They are the only people I speak with. Anybody else i will not bother to answer.
“Those three know me best. My father and mother know me best so they pray for me when we speak before games.
"My wife tells me she loves me and to go in and relax and enjoy myself."
Muntari’s dark side, many believe, formed part of the reasons why he exited AC Milan.
He infamously threw away a Milan jersey when he was replaced in a Serie-A match last season and thereafter declared he was no longer going to play for the club after finidng out he was not in the plans of the coach.