I have a lot to thank Italy for. It's the country that opened the door to professional football for me.

We know Mourinho can win league titles - he is brilliant at it - but how long can he do it at one club?

My advice for Sebastian Kehl is: if you have a 35-point deficit in the league, it is better to shut up.

I want the ball for 90 minutes. When I don't have the ball, I go high pressing because I want the ball.

The better you can prepare your players and the more you can put their minds to it is really important.

RIP Sir Alfredo Di Stefano. I will never forget each of the shared moments with such a football legend.

What remains of the kid at Sevilla is the same dream of always wanting to win. I still have that today.

Real Madrid is a big club, and like at any other big club, too, there are always critics after defeats.

Managing Liverpool? Yes, for sure, I have dreamt of that, but first I have to prove myself and prepare.

The first year I sold a photo to was a lady who thought I was a chef, for some reason. I've no idea why.

There is so much I admire about Buffon. His longevity is remarkable, his loyalty to Juventus impeccable.

How on earth Traore gets into this team is beyond me. And he's a Champions League winner? Gimme a break.

I proved myself in Barcelona, and after I proved myself in Germany, I wanted to prove myself in England.

A club like Liverpool has to be involved in Europe, whether it is the Europa League or Champions League.

It's never easy to switch from one football to another one, from one culture, one language to a new one.

I have adapted and feel comfortable in the middle, but I am a world and European champion at right back.

I am not someone who holds grudges, and I want to remember the good things about our time with Mourinho.

Van Gaal was always very intensive with his tactics. You had to work more with your head than your legs.

In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen - the most complete - is SCHOLES

The papers are portraying Rafa as a parrot, just like they did when they showed Graham Taylor as an onion

Sometimes I don't even accept the simplest medical treatment, such as, for example, the anti-flu vaccine.

I've never blown my own trumpet over my ability but it took an awful lot to stop me getting on the pitch.

At the end of a career you're desperate more than ever for medals, grabbing as much as you can as you go.

On the pitch, I need to stay focused, alert, and be ready to face my heart-racing moment with confidence.

[Humans] don't just survive; they discover; they create. ... I mean, just look at what they do with food!

You can't play man to man against Liverpool and out-pass them. You have to keep your shape and stop them.

It's always going to be difficult for Asian countries to create big leagues because Europe is so settled.

It's the striker's job to put the ball in the net and it's up to us to make important tackles and blocks.

I believe one's relatives are the most important people of all, they form a protective circle around you.

Transfer fees don't show which player is better. It's only a number necessary for a club to get a player.

My family have absolutely no problem about me playing for Real Madrid. They have become Real Madrid fans.

Forgiveness is a sign that the person who has wronged you means more to you than the wrong they have delt.

Zizou is a phenomenon. It is an honour to share the same midfield as him. But he thinks the same about me.

I thought we were going to win the game but we won't take the disappointments, we will take the positives.

Steve McManaman once described Zinedine Zidane as ridiculous. You can't get a higher compliment than that.

I will gladly go to jail in the name of free speech. I have no problem with what I said. Make me a martyr.

Stress is when you're 29 years old, playing for Rochdale, with an expiring contract and a mortgage to pay.

Creating something new is the difficult part. To make it and build it and get everyone to follow? Amazing.

We are under no illusions that we have no given right to win things, but winning the FA Cup is not enough.

Being at United in my first season has really given me an insight into the passion and drive the club has.

I believe in Giroud because he loves to fight, fight the good fight and not for himself, but for the team.

I am dreaming that Italy can return to having lots of important talent. We need to grow our young players.

If you dont live, eat, breathe, football, then youre not a true football player. You just wear the jersey.

Being the captain is a great privilege and a responsibility to lead a great group with different cultures.

It was a counter-attack and I had to take him down. I don't regret it and I would do it again if I had to.

The wages that are being paid in the Premier League are very tempting. It would be hypocrisy to deny that.

When I got the red card all the Chelsea players come around. It felt like I had a lot of babies around me.

I am very proud. It is always fun to win such a prize, to be chosen as Swedens best player a certain year.

If you are different, or you have minimum possibilities, you can still succeed. I am living proof of that.

If you are in the Premier League or at Barcelona, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich, you are at an end station.

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