“I am supposed to set an example to young players.”

There was huge pressure, especially before the big games. Not many people believed in us, but we believed in ourselves. We wanted to do something good and we did.

Messi makes the difference most of the time. In particular, he is always going forwards. He never passes the ball backwards or sideways. He has only one idea, to run towards the goal. So as a football fan, just enjoy the show.

It’s only natural to want to select your best players and there is no doubt for me that Paul Scholes is still in a class of his own. He’s almost untouchable in what he does. I never tire of watching him play.

I don’t know if we are the best team in the world. I am lucky to be playing alongside some of the best players around. It’s a dream.

The England team must always be respected. They always fight to the end.

I have a need to play intensely every day, to fight every match hard.

Real Madrid is the most important thing that happened to me, both as a footballer and as a person.

I love Madrid. I am happy to be here. I have been here three years and hope to be here longer. But I am proud of where I come from and never forget the people I grew up with.

The door can never be closed for good to any player.

Zidane was from another planet. When Zidane stepped onto the pitch, the 10 other guys just got suddenly better. It is that simple.

I was lucky to come from a difficult area. It teaches you not just about football but also life. There were lots of kids from different races and poor families. People had to struggle to get through the day.

My memories of events and games are fragmented.

Obviously fashion is a completely different world from football.

You can’t get bored of winning. You can win 10 games in a row but you keep the same will to snatch the 11th. You always need more.

Zidane is the master. Over the past 10 years, there’s been no-one like him, he has been the best player in the world.

If you are determined and confident, there is nothing in this great existence that can stop you from achieving what you want.

My brother!! I wouldn’t be the player I am today without your commitment and friendship throughout this whole journey!

A lot of players know how to play the game, but they really don’t know how to play the game, if you know what I mean.

All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.

When you’ve got a player who does what he does at that pace this late in the game than you know you’ve got an invaluable talent.

Great players never look in the mirror and think I’m a great basketball player. You ask yourself, Am I the best player I can be?

As far as carrying the torch for the years to come, I don’t know. I just want to be the best basketball player I can be.

I knew where I wanted to go, what kind of player I wanted to become and I focused on getting there.

It’s not just enough to change the players. We’ve gotta change the game.