I want to be a top-flight football player, so I lead the life that enables me to be that type of player. I prefer to be seen in a decent light rather than an indecent one.

I have never thought of a scenario where international football was not a massive part of our [England] game.

I can't believe anyone can have played the game of football as well as Messi.

It was a real eye opener and I'm really pleased that I spent a year out there [in Real Madrid].

I think it's getting tougher and tougher, all the big teams are getting stronger and there's more of them.

When you put better teams in front of you, that's when the big players rise to that occasion.

I was born to score goals, I feel.