Joao Cancelo claims the traumatic break-in at his home has made him stronger as a person.
Cancelo suffered facial injuries when he tackled the four intruders as they attempted to burgle his house at the end of December.
The Manchester City defender lost his mum in a car accident when he was 18 and says he has overcome every obstacle in his life.
Speaking for the first time about the break-in, the Portugal defender said: “That’s life, it happens.
“It was horrific because it terrorised my family. For me, I know how to deal with stuff, but my family didn’t deserve to go through that.
“When I lost my mother I had to continue.
“There have been a lot of obstacles in my life and I have had to get over them.
“I’ve become a stronger player mentally and that’s how I want to keep going on. I could drop my head, but however much people try to make me suffer they won't achieve it.
“I always like to think positively, that’s how I live my life in the best way possible.”
Cancelo, 27, has extra motivation to beat Sporting Lisbon tonight because he began his career at their fierce city rivals Benfica.
He still supports them and is relishing facing his old Benfica team-mate, Ruben Amorim, who led Sporting to their first title in 19 years last season.
“Of course, I am a Benfica supporter,” he said. “I went through their whole youth system, but I am representing Manchester City now.
“I want to beat them not just because I’m a Benfica supporter, but because they are our opponents and I want to qualify for the next stage.
“I never imagined Ruben becoming a manager, it was a surprise. I really like the way he works, the way his team plays.
“In the last two years, Sporting have won trophies they had not won for years.
“Credit to Ruben and his players. He’s a relaxed, humble and funny guy. He was a very good player and now he’s an excellent coach.”
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