Radamel Falcao has claimed he has rejected a big-money move to China three times in the hope of fulfilling his dream of picking up the Ligue 1 title with Monaco this season.
After two disappointing loan spells in England with Manchester United and Chelsea, Falcao returned to Monaco last summer in the hope of restoring his reputation in the remaining two years of his contract.
The Colombia international has already done so with 12 goals in 15 Ligue 1 games this season to help his club to the top of the table, while two strikes in three UEFA Champions League outings contributed to Monaco's impressive march into the round of 16.
With his club flying, Falcao admitted he had turned down a switch to the Far East, even if the huge salary that would have come with it was tempting.
"It's not easy to turn down that offer. I've already said 'No' to going there three times," he told L'Equipe. "I don't think it's easy for the club either as they have to turn down a lot of money.
"But I feel something in my body, that it's important for my career and the team to be here. I want to win with Monaco. I want to show that I'm 100 percent."
"I feel good right now. With each game, I feel my place is here. I need to play games. I'm very happy here.
"I'm proud to play in this team that has a lot of ambition and a winning mentality. I'm 100 percent committed to Monaco and I dream of winning the title this year."
His fruitful campaign has evoked memories of the times when he was one of Europe's most feared strikers during his spells at Porto and Atletico Madrid, from whom he joined Monaco in 2013.
That image was badly tarnished in England where he failed to establish himself at either Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge.
That has made his renaissance upon his return to Monaco all the more striking, though he insisted his drive was not born out of a feeling of making his critics eat their words.
"I haven't forgotten how to play football. But I need to play each weekend," said Falcao, whose first season at Monaco was ruined by a serious knee ligament injury that meant he was not fully fit when he crossed the Channel.
"The club, the technical staff, my teammates, everyone has helped me here and I thank them. My aim is to give the best of myself. England is in the past. I'm only thinking of the opportunities I have at Monaco. It's not about avenging anything."
Should Falcao find the net again this weekend, he will provide those who wrote him off with another reason to reconsider their opinion.
Monaco travel to Paris Saint-Germain for Sunday evening's top-of-the-bill Ligue 1 encounter surfing at the summit of French football, three points clear of the side that has won the title in each of the last four seasons.
"If we win in Paris, it'll be very important. It'll be a great source of motivation for the remainder of the season. Paris is still a great team which competes on four fronts each season.
"It's too soon to judge Paris' season. We respect them, they're favourites. Paris have won 11 trophies in the last three seasons," Falcao said.
He added that his club's title ambitions would not rest solely on the 90 minutes at the Parc des Princes.
"To win Ligue 1, you have to win each weekend. Every game is important. Paris, but also Nice, Lorient or Metz. You have to win them all," he said.