Toby Alderweireld says feeling homesick is making him even "stronger" for Tottenham this season.
Alderweireld joined Spurs from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015 following a successful loan spell at Southampton and has become a key member of Mauricio Pochettino's backline.
The 27-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the Premier League but footballing success appears to have come at cost to Alderweireld's personal life.
The Belgium international started his professional career at Ajax and has spent a large chunk of his life away from his homeland in order to pursue a career at the top level.
However, although Alderweireld has admitted it is increasingly difficult to miss out on family occasions the defender remains firmly focused on life at White Hart Lane and fulfilling his potential.
“I’ve not been able to celebrate Christmas or New Year with my family since I was 15. I seldom see them if at all," Alderweireld told Belgian newspaper Humo.
“Footballers have a fantastic life, but money does not make everything good. Not everything is for sale.
“I sometimes think about having a career in Belgium. If I played for Anderlecht I could be at home every day.
“But I am now playing at the highest level, and want to stay there as long as possible as this is what I have worked so hard for down the years.
“I just have one idea in mind - to get the maximum out of football. Enjoying comes later. Meanwhile, all these experiences make me stronger.
Tottenham's Premier League run-in
“I can’t celebrate Christmas in Belgium? Okay, then I accept that. Now I do everything for my job. But my time is still to come,” Alderweireld insisted.
Alderweireld missed almost two months of the current campaign due to a problematic knee injury, which left the defender feeling "paralysed".
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But Alderweireld has now returned to full fitness and is set to play a key role as Spurs fight for silverware on three fronts.
