All smiles for Manchester City's Samir Nasri

SAMIR NASRI has revealed he was so down in the dumps last season he snubbed everyone – even his parents.

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BOTTLING IT UP: Nasri became withdrawn

Manchester City’s midfield ace went into his shell on and off the field, with former boss Roberto Mancini ­admitting he wanted to punch him.

But the Frenchman has got his ­va-va-voom back this season, helping his club reach the Champions League knockout stage for the first time while also playing his part as his country qualified for the 2014 World Cup.

But Nasri admits he had to take a long, hard look at himself after ­going missing in action last season and ­ignoring his mother Ouassila and agent father Abdel.

Nasri, expected to be involved when City take on Viktoria Plzen at home ­tonight, said: “At the time, I refused to speak to them. I didn’t want to talk or explain myself.

“You spend all the time thinking. Sometimes when you do mistakes, you don’t want to admit it. That was my biggest mistake. ­Keeping things to yourself is never good.

GETTING IT OFF HIS CHEST: Nasri trains with City yesterday [GETTY]

“Keeping things to yourself is never good”

Samir Nasri

“So I talked to the people I love and I decided to smile and be happy and do what I do best – playing football.
“As a player, as a person, I grew up a lot. I know my mistakes now, and I know what to do to make it right.”
Mancini was livid with his £25m star, admitting he wanted to give him a slap.
“Everything he was saying was d­ifficult for me to accept,” said Nasri.
“It wasn’t his fault, it was just me ­because I wasn’t in a good place.
“I wasn’t feeling myself. It was a tough season.

“After the Euros and a beef with the French journalists, for months I ­refused to speak to anybody. I wasn’t involved in the national team.

“In my head, I wasn’t the same. I didn’t play well for City and lost my spot in the squad.”
Boss Manuel Pellegrini hopes it is just the start for Nasri and said: “I ­suppose the best Nasri will come in the future. He knows where he can improve.”