The mistake is to imagine that perfection is possible when the very idea is unthinkable.

As a professional football player, I have known perfectly well from the day I started playing that every day I have to fight for my place.

When I left Barcelona, staying in Spain was an important factor in my decision to join Madrid. I did not have to change country or learn a new language, adopt a different sort of lifestyle, and so on.

There was interest from clubs in Italy and England, I believe. But I've never been attracted by the way they play in Italy. Staying in Spain was always my preference.

I really did not think much about the size of the transfer fee when I left Barcelona because it was all down to market forces, not me.

I think he [Raul] is the greatest player to have ever played the game. He walks on the turf and astounds. It is utterly amazing.

In football, day in day out, you always have to show your worth.