When I was about 12, I realised I wasn't going to make it as a top footballer, but I won my first British ABA title at 13. From then on, I wanted to be a world champion.

Having trust in your manager is the most important thing for a footballer.

A footballer's career is very short, and I want to finish it in a strong and spectacular way.

It is special to play alongside the best footballer in the world.

I'm a footballer, not a pundit.

My two years at Juve were fantastic. I was just a lad when I arrived, and I was a real footballer when I left.

As a footballer I know what I'm good at and I've now embraced it.

I was inspired by players like Pepe or Sergio Ramos because they are defenders and by someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is an example for any footballer.

If nerves undo you, then you're unlikely to make it as a top footballer.

Every footballer wants to play in big games, in front of full houses, live on the telly.

For every footballer, to finish in the top ten of the Ballon d'Or is a dream.

There was a footballer, Matt Le Tissier, from Guernsey. But as far as music, no, not many people have come out of there.

Every footballer has their own identity. A Uruguayan player is different to a Spanish player. A Portuguese player may be similar to a Spanish one, but not the same - and so on.

Even as a footballer, I was always being creative.

I was probably the first footballer ever to have a pop-star profile, and my agent was right when he said we could put my name on stair rods and sell them to people in bungalows.

You know, I was going to be a footballer at one stage, but... nah.

I'm very satisfied to close my time as footballer.

As a footballer I think your own history speaks for itself.

We all like a party but when that 'becomes the main feature of your lifestyle as a footballer, I haven't got time for that.

Playing in a big tournament is one of the biggest things for a professional footballer.