Michael Clarke has revealed why he thinks he is not considered a well-liked sports personality.

The former Australian Test cricket captain admitted on Monday’s Mental as Anyone podcast that he was never fully embraced by cricket fans during his time on the field.

“I think it’s safe to say I was polarized,” the 43-year-old said.

Clarke compared himself to other popular Australian cricket greats Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor and admitted that his lifestyle outside of cricket set him apart from his predecessors.

‘I don’t think any of those three have tattoos, wear an earring, dye their hair or, you know, played a few test matches and wanted a Ferrari so bought one.’

“I did what I felt. (People think) a 25-year-old kid from the western suburbs should be driving a pickup truck with a cattleman who drinks alcohol, and I wanted a Ferrari, so I bought one.”

“Those decisions that I made and that people probably didn’t agree with, were also correct.”

Michael captained the Australian cricket team in both Test matches and One-Day Internationals between 2011 and 2015.

He also captained the Twenty20 International (T20I) team between 2007 and 2010, eventually retiring from the sport after the final Test of the 2015 Ashes series.

Michael also shared on the podcast that he thinks he has obsessive-compulsive disorder, but has not yet been officially diagnosed.

“I’ve never been checked, I think it’s a given,” he said.

“It’s like ADD, it’s a given. Sure, ask my parents, you don’t have to take me to a doctor.”

Michael says he is incredibly clean and organized, always making sure his car has gas and clothes ready for his daughter, Kelsey Lee.

The athlete is also not sure if he has ever suffered from depression. He has not been diagnosed and has not sought medication. He did visit a psychologist for a while.

“I am extremely sad, distraught, out of it, unable to move or get out of bed for days,” he added.

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Michael quietly split from his ex-wife Kyly in September 2019 after seven years of marriage, but they didn’t announce their separation until five months later. They have a daughter together, Kelsey Lee.

After the split, Michael dated PE Nation designer Pip Edwards, but their relationship eventually ended in 2021.

The cricketer then moved on to Jade Yarbrough.

However, the couple came to a public standoff in a Noosa park in January 2023, when the 31-year-old interior designer accused the cricketer of sleeping with his ex Pip.

Clarke is now in a relationship with leasing agent Arabella Sherborne, who works for Westfield owner/operator Scentre Group, the Daily Telegraph reported in June.

An insider confirmed their relationship to the publication, saying, “Arabella is a catch. She’s super smart, works in the corporate world and is a beauty.”