“Football boots are very technical and have lots of specific requirements.”

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.

I am supposed to set an example to young players.

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.

I have never had the opportunity to play in England, so I know little about it.

Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation.

When your own fans whistle and jeer, then you have a big problem.

Messi is the Mozart of football.

Sometimes words are harder than blows.

My father is an Algerian, proud of who he is and I am proud that my father is Algerian.

Our sport is dangerous. We risk the life out there, so we need to stay calm and focused and leave all the rest out.

The meek may inherit the earth, but they wont get the ball from me.

I am a sore loser. I’ve always been like that ever s’nce I started playin’ sports and just life in general. I hate to lose and I play to win.

You know how in football, guys throw defenses, and the defense throws you a look, but the look is not really what it is – it’s only made to fool you. It’s the same thing with drugs. The drug is only an illusion to draw you in.

It’s so easy for a kid to join a gang, to do drugs. We should make it that easy to be involved in football and academics.

I delayed my father’s funeral because of cricket.

Well, my mom was an Olympian, so we have some good genes on that front.

Well, my mom was an Olympian, so we have some good genes on that front.