NEWS | 11/05/2019 | Javier Vázquez | PHOTOGRAPHER: Helios de la Rubia
"The match against Galatasaray is going to be very hard and we have to win to be up," he explained.
“Matches like this are the best that a player can think of playing. We have to win to try to be up and think about passing the phase. We can face it as a final. ”
Form moment
“I don't see it as a substitute. I have not played many games but if you make accounts of the whole season I have played more than others. I feel much better than last season. I have worked for that. As I have never seen myself as a headline, I cannot see myself as a reserve. I am here to help the team and for the team to win titles and for this you cannot think that you are the undisputed holder or reserve. You have to think that you are one more because we are 25 players and you cannot always play ”.
One hundred matches in European competition
“It is a great illusion to be able to play so many games in the best club in the world. Since I arrived I have been taught many things, I am here almost all my life and it is an immense pride and responsibility to be in Real Madrid. I am very happy and I hope it is a great game. ”
It is a great illusion to play so many games in the best club in the world.
“Regarding criticism, the things I see or hear are mine and those that tell me too. I had a lot of respect and care about these things. Some hurt everyone and sometimes there is no such respect. When I talked about it they are things that I say, they are not things that are invented or I have heard, and I am always careful and I have not mentioned anyone out of respect. I do not rectify, they are things that happen but I have made it very clear that certain things that can harm serve as motivation. Here I have learned many things and criticism can be a motivation. ”
Motivation of the Champions
“It's not a matter of the Champions motivating more. It depends on the matches. We have won four in five years and in the League we have not won so much or enough to be 13 years at Real Madrid. Every league game is a motivation and defending the Real Madrid shield is incredible. All children want to be able to be in such a group. You cannot compare the Champions League with the League, they are two different competitions. They motivate me both equally. ”
Anxiety before the Kiev final
“At the beginning it was harder. Now you get more used to the pressure although in Real Madrid there is always pressure. That is the price you pay for playing in the best team in the world. You have to have a lot of responsibility because you work for the best club. The pressure is not only on play, it is also out. In all jobs we can have anxiety. When I told this story I wanted to tell mine, my fans and the people who love me that we are the same as them. We have problems in the family, at work but we have to be there like everyone else. I only tell my story and I think it has succeeded. ”