I wasn’t born with the talent of Lionel Messi, but I made the most of what I have. I work hard because I am scared of failure. I had it as a footballer at Chelsea and I have it today as a father. It can be positive if you channel it in the right way.

Dads with young daughters have to learn on their feet. I now have an 11-year-old watching make-up tutorials on YouTube and a nine-year-old talking about social media. I just try to have fun and get into their world.

It is easy to be cynical or worry, but my girls’ carefree attitude makes me view the world through a different lens. I am separated from their mother [Elen Rivas] so I have them half the week and those days remind me what matters in life.

My dad is tough and keeps his emotions inside. My wife Christine [Bleakley, the presenter] criticises me for doing that. But my mum was sensitive and I definitely have that side, too.

Romance takes some planning. I proposed to Christine on Santa Monica beach in LA. I even designed the ring myself. But to keep it under wraps I got a friend to fly out and secretly pass it to me at the hotel. I then phoned Christine’s dad to ask permission – I ended up speaking to her mum but she insisted he’d be happy – and all went to plan.

I swallowed the mouthpiece of a trumpet as a kid. It nearly killed me. I had to go to hospital to have it taken out.

I started writing children’s books on the way to matches. I scribbled ideas in a little notebook. I often read extracts to my daughters to test out ideas.

My hardest moment was losing my mother three days before the 2008 Champions League semi-final. The manager didn’t want to play me, but I asked to be included, I scored a penalty and we won.

I believe in God and I am a Christian. My faith was tested when I lost my mum, but I found small pieces to hold on to. My faith helped me through.

I was completely star-struck when I met Will Ferrell. He is a closet Chelsea fan and when I met him in Seattle he knew who I was, which I found incredible. I had to ask for a photo.

American positivity is something I admire. When I moved to New York City FC [in 2015-16] everyone said: “Good morning” and “Have a nice day.” At the start I was that British guy, not talking, head down. By the end I was chatting in the lift.

The secret to a good relationship is to keep fancying each other. Christine and I make each other laugh and have fun, but I am sure we fancy each other more and more as time goes on.

I have no fear of turning 40. I have experience and a settled home life, and that’s a lovely mixture.

Frankie’s Magic Football: Summer Holiday Showdown is published by Little, Brown Young Readers at £5.99. To order a copy for £5.09, go to bookshop.theguardian.com