I was only interested in scoring goals. I wasn't interested in anything else.

My wife Danielle and I love travelling, different cultures and good weather.

Messi doesn't have to do it in the Premier League to prove himself. The Champions League is the ultimate club competition. If he was in the Premier League, he'd be the best player by some distance.

Speaking Spanish and Japanese has opened doors in my career and helped me bridge cultural differences, both in my personal and business life. During my football career I realised quickly what difference language skills can make

Soccer is a game for 22 people that run around, play the ball, and one referee who makes a slew of mistakes, and in the end Germany always wins.

We have got too many kids around the house to have a romantic meal at home. But Danielle is a ­fantastic cook. She does a brilliant ­lasagne, great roasts and a great chilli dish. She knows the way to my heart.

That's one of the magical things about the Olympics, Team GB will have someone challenging in a sport that we've never watched and all of a sudden it'll be the biggest thing ever.