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.

To play for Barcelona, means to have an opportunity for a brilliant career. But to reach the top of it, you have to play for Real Madrid.

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 have a fantastic wife, and not only in terms of external beauty. Her priority and mine is our children. That is our choice.

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'm star-struck when I see Paul Scholes because you never see him. On the pitch you can't catch him. Off the pitch he disappears.

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