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Raúl: Real Madrid is still in my heart February 3, 2011 tags: raúl by unamadridista Raúl recently spoke to the official magazine of the Bundesliga about his first six months at Schalke. It was an interesting enough interview that I translated some parts, as you can see below. The takeaway: Raúl still follows his Madrid, and he’s a super dad. Q: Raúl, last summer you received a wonderful welcome here in Schalke. What do you remember from that day? A: I’ve experienced many things in football, but when I stepped onto the field of Veltins Arena, it was something very special. The miners invited by Schalke welcomed me very warmly, as did the club. I immediately noticed the affection the fans have towards their team and their players here in Gelsenkirchen. I feel this affection personally after each training session and game, when people come up to me and ask for autographs. Q: After so many years of success at home in Madrid, were you worried about what going to a new country would be like? A: On the personal level, I didn’t have any worries. I was sure that I could compete in the Bundesliga, regardless of my age. But I have to confess that when I put on the shirt of Schalke for the first time before my first game in the Bundesliga, I felt a strange sensation, since I had worn the shirt of Madrid for 16 years. Q: You really had no personal worries? A: If I had any, it was for my family. How would my children adapt to a new country? Would they make friends quickly? Would they like Germany? Those were the things that I had in my head. But now that some time has passed, I can say that we love living in Germany. Q: Not much is know about Raúl the person. You prefer to separate your professional and personal lives. A: Yes. I want my kids to grow up normally and not be exposed to the media attention that I receive. They go to an international school in Düsseldorf, and not many of their classmates know that their father is a famous footballer. I prefer for it to be like that. I want a normal life for my children. Q: Have you had any opportunities to visit any sites in Germany? A: Very few, since the calendar is packed. I spent most of my free time with my children. In that sense, Düsseldorf has a lot to offer. For example, we went to see an ice hockey game. The kids really liked it a lot. Q: The presence of Metzelder at Schalke was a happy coincidence for you, especially in the beginning. A: It’s true. Christoph spoke to me a lot about Germany and how the Bundesliga clubs work. So I was prepared when I arrived at Schalke. But the determining factor was the personality of Felix Magath. It was he who opened my heart to Schalke and convinced me to play here. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him. Q: What is your relationship now with Real Madrid? A: Someone who’s spent 16 years at a club doesn’t leave and forget about it. I still follow Madrid, and Real Madrid is still in my heart. But I’m all about Schalke now, my head is here and I’ll give everything for this club. Q: Do you believe Madrid can win the Liga? A: Of course, I have my fingers crossed that Madrid will win, but if Barcelona continues like that, it’ll be difficult for the title to escape them. Q: What are your thoughts on the evolution of Khedira and Özil in Madrid? A: They almost always play and they enrich Madrid. Both are great players who will continuing progressing. Q: You’ll soon face Valencia in the Champions League. That should be something special for you, no? A: Yes, it is. I’m excited to go back to my country. Q: In addition, you have good memories from your past games against Valencia. A: Yes. With Real Madrid, we played a Champions League final against Valencia. It was in the year 2000 and we won 3-0. I had the luck of scoring a goal. These are things that I remember with a lot of pleasure. Q: Communication is important in football. How is your German? A: It’s a difficult language to learn, but I understand more each day.

Raul praying for Real triumph Schalke striker Raul will be keeping his fingers crossed for a Real Madrid victory in this season's La Liga. Real are distinctly second-favourites to win La Liga - with arch-rivals Barcelona seven points ahead and in pole position to lift the trophy for the third season running. However, Raul, who played for los Blancos for 16 years and enjoys legend status at the Bernabeu, is still rooting for Jose Mourinho's men. In an interview with AS, he said: "Of course I cross my finger that in the end it will be Real Madrid, but as Barcelona remains in front it is difficult to see them losing the title. Barcelona's displays have been impressive. "Real Madrid is still in my heart, when you have played for a club for 16 years, they do not leave you, just like that. But now I am with Schalke, my head is here and I give everything for this club." The 33-year-old will return to Spain to take part in Schalke's Champions League round-of-16 clash with Valencia and is excited at the prospect. "I am thrilled to return to my country. I played in the Champions League final against Valencia [in 2000], and was lucky enough to score a goal. These are things I remember with pleasure," said the veteran. "I am very optimistic. I think that we have a very good chance of reaching the quarter-finals. In the group stage our team demonstrated what we are capable of, and the return match is in our own stadium, and in those games the support of the fans is a very important factor." After finishing second behind Bayern Munich last season, Schalke are not having the best of campaigns in 2010/11. They are currently in 11th place and an astonishing 25 points behind leader Borussia Dortmund, who they play on Friday night.

Looks like Irina's doing Valentine's day shopping,she has a bear in her shopping too

Alonso: Real are still in title race Midfielder Xabi Alonso believes Real Madrid are still in the La Liga title race despite their 1-0 defeat away at Osasuna on Sunday. The loss for Jose Mourinho's men leaves them seven points behind league leaders Barcelona who had beaten Hercules 3-0 some 24 hours earlier. Despite the uphill nature of Real's task, Alonso feels there is still plenty to play for as the Bernabeu outfit bid to end Barca's domestic dominance. "The deficit between Barcelona and us has increased, but there are a lot of matches left to play and we need to continue chugging along," the former Liverpool favourite told Real's official website. "We know things aren't easy, but we have to look ahead and continue with the good work we have been doing." Javier Camunas' goal just after the hour-mark consigned Madrid to only their second league loss of the season, and left Alonso in a reflective mood. "We knew whoever scored first would hold the upper hand, but unfortunately it was them," he said. "The Reyno de Navarra is always a difficult place to play in because the fans are so close and they pour on the heat. The game got a lot tougher once they scored. The coach made three simultaneous changes to change match dynamics. "We need to think ahead, focus on our next match against Sevilla and then on our next league game."

Mourinho laments Madrid mentality Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho admits his players are not mentally prepared enough to challenge for honours on multiple fronts. Real played nine games in January, including five games in La Liga and four in the King's Cup, and found their domestic title bid suffer a big blow following Sunday's shock 1-0 defeat at Osasuna. "Playing nine matches in a month is not a problem for players who are used to it," Mourinho was quoted in The Independent as saying. "But these [Real players] are not because for several years now Madrid has been eliminated from the Cup in the first or second knockout round and in the Champions League the same. "They are not used to it due to bad lack or circumstances but the fatigue is not physical because players of this calibre are ready to play a match every two days. "From a psychological point of view it takes more getting used to." Mourinho was speaking to a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Cup semi-final second leg at home to holders Sevilla. The defending champions lost the first leg 1-0 and face an uphill task to reach their second successive final against a Madrid side aiming to win their first Copa since 1993. Karim Benzema's strike proved the difference between the teams in the opening leg.

Calderon: Real Madrid are in revolt Former club president Ramon Calderon says the club resembles a "powder-keg" on the verge of exploding. Calderon hit out at current incumbent Florentino Perez over what he called "unnecessary confrontations", and also attributed a share of the blame to coach Jose Mourinho. "Real Madrid looks like a powder keg and is liable to blow up," he told Catalan station COMRadio. "The situation at Real Madrid is one of revolt. There are unnecessary confrontations. "The current president's policy does not promise anything else. The need to prove that one is smarter, taller and more handsome than anyone brings problems." Mourinho's combative style has ensured him a regular place in the headlines over recent seasons with Chelsea, Inter Milan and now Madrid. Reports that Mourinho has a strained relationship with Madrid general manager Jorge Valdano have also caused waves, and Calderon claimed the Portuguese was affecting the public perception of the club. "Mourinho is not the best way to represent the club, he does not help the image of Madrid," he said. "Mourinho has come to win titles, not to complain of bad refereeing, complain about what has gone before. That is not the role of the coach." He insisted, however, that he would not be tempted to return to the Bernabeu, having stood down from the post in January 2009. "My time at Madrid is over," he continued. "It has not crossed my mind to go back." In a move likely to further antagonise his former employers, Calderon admitted that Barcelona are currently "teaching a permanent lesson in how to play football". He added: "I do not remember seeing such a complete team. In Barca they opted for a model after the arrival of (Johan) Cruyff. Madrid have not been so patient."

Mourinho downbeat after Osasuna loss Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho admitted their 1-0 loss to Osasuna has left them in a "much more difficult situation". A second-half strike from Javier Camunas earned 17th-place Osasuna the spoils in a hard-fought came at the Reyno de Navarra stadium and consigned Madrid to only a second league defeat of the season. The defeat means Mourinho's men are now seven points adrift of in-form Barca - who have won 15 successive matches in La Liga - at the top of the table, and was a major blow to the capital club's hopes of winning a first league title since 2008. Mourinho said after the game: "My players have done their jobs with dignity and I have nothing to reproach them for, they fought to the end. We lost three points that we didn't deserve to lose. "Osasuna are a tough team and the crowd was fantastic. I don't think many teams win here. We had opportunities to score in both halves, but we haven't done it. And if the opponents score first it is very difficult. Congratulations to Osasuna." The Portuguese added: "This is our second defeat in La Liga and we are in a much more difficult situation with respect to first place. "I always tell my teams that I don't like to gift games to the opposition, by not playing, not fighting or because we were relaxed...that wasn't the case. We lost against a team who gave it everything, and who had a week to prepare for the match." Madrid, who were held to a 1-1 draw by then-bottom club Almeria in their previous away game, do not have long to dwell on their defeat as they have an important match on Wednesday when they host Sevilla in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. Madrid lead 1-0 from last week's first leg as they look to win the cup for the first time since 1993. Mourinho said: "Tomorrow is another day. We will be thinking about the game on Wednesday." Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, who started the match on the bench as he was struggling with illness, added: "With this defeat the distance to Barcelona has grown, but there's a long way to go and we need to continue fighting until the end. "We know that it won't be easy, but we need to look ahead and continue with the good work we have been doing. We cannot give up. "We need to look ahead and think first about the cup game against Sevilla and then the next league game (at home to Real Sociedad)."

Mourinho: I'll return to England Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho could be on his way back to England sooner rather than later. The Portuguese, who is currently involved in a public spat with Madrid director general Jorge Valdano, has never hidden his desire to return to the Premier League, where he enjoyed success with Chelsea before leaving in 2007. "It's always important for me and my family to be happy and I love English football and my family love England," he is quoted as saying in today's Sunday Mirror. "I have always maintained I will return one day but maybe it will come sooner than I expected." Mourinho joined Madrid last summer after leading Inter Milan to the treble, including a Champions League success he was unable to achieve at Chelsea. The former Porto boss insists he was not surprised when the end came at Stamford Bridge. "I was never under any illusions," he said. "I understood the personality of Roman Abramovich and the culture of the people around him. "And knew it was not a job for 10 years. My role was to give this man what he wanted - victory - knowing that, sooner or later, my time would finish, because there were too many things going on around me."

Mourinho to Man United next season? After enduring a torrid time at Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho has declared he is returning to England. According to quotes reported in The Sun, the Portuguese supremo has decided he is going to return to England, and is considering Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea as his port of call. Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Mourinho said: "I've decided to return to England. I have nothing prepared about my future - I just want to be happy in my work. "I have no preferences about Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea. I just want to rediscover the joy. "I'm not saying the Premier League is the most spectacular in the world but it is the best organised... the fair play and the enormous respect for your opponent." Speculation is rife about his future at Real Madrid, with reports of tension with president Jorge Valdano, and the Portuguese failed to appear for the post-match press conference after his side's 1-0 win over Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey semi-final on Wednesday.

Barca and Real set up Clasico final Barcelona and Real Madrid set up a Copa del Rey final against each other after both clubs progressed from their semi-finals. Barca, leading 5-0 from their first leg against Almeria, cruised through 8-0 on aggregate thanks to second-leg goals from Adriano, Thiago and recent signing Ibrahim Afellay - his first for the club. Madrid had tougher task against holders Sevilla, but goals in the last eight minutes from Mesut Ozil and substitute Emmanuel Adebayor - on his home debut - earned Jose Mourinho's men a 2-0 win on the night and a 3-0 victory on aggregate. Sevilla finished the match with 10 men when Sergio Sanchez was dismissed late on after being shown a yellow card for scything down Adebayor. The two results mean that Barca and Madrid will meet each other in a Copa del Rey final for the first time since 1990, when the Catalan side won 2-0 in Valencia. In the evening's first semi-final, Barca coach Pep Guardiola, whose side won 8-0 on their last visit to the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos in the league before Christmas, opted to rest a number of his first-choice regulars with their tie all but done and dusted. The likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and David Villa were all left on the bench, but it mattered little as a much-changed Barca ran out convincing winners nevertheless. Almeria - playing at this stage for the first time ever - went close to opening the scoring when Sofiane Feghouli hit the post in the 27th minute with the first real chance of the game, but within seven minutes of that effort Barca were ahead through a fine individual goal from Adriano. Barca, looking to extend their tournament-best record of Copa del Rey crowns to 26, made it 2-0 when Thiago looped a header into the far corner of the net in the 55th minute. Holland international Afellay then wrapped up the scoring 10 minutes later with his maiden strike for Barca, the former PSV Eindhoven man thumping a low shot past Esteban Suarez. The evening's later kick-off produced a cagey affair with clear-cut goalscoring chances few and far between. Madrid should have taken the lead in the fifth minute when Angel Di Maria's low shot came back off the post and Karim Benzema somehow managed to put the rebound wide with the goal at his mercy. Sevilla's former Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo then felt he had put his side ahead after lobbing a fine finish over Iker Casillas, but the effort was ruled out for a marginal offside decision. That would be one of the few scares Madrid would suffer on the evening, and they had several opportunities to take the lead with Cristiano Ronaldo, Di Maria and Benzema failing to make the most of them. Sevilla had five forwards on the pitch in the end but their hopes of taking the tie to extra-time were crushed in the 82nd minute when Ozil put Madrid ahead. A superb ball by his Germany team-mate Sami Khedira saw Ozil clean through and the playmaker coolly rounded Javi Varas before rolling into an empty net. Sevilla then lost Sanchez to a red card before Madrid, who have not won the cup since 1993, added a second goal late on when Adebayor, who joined on loan from Manchester City last week, chested down a Lassana Diarra cross before thumping an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net.

Mourinho wants revenge over Barca Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is looking forward to exacting revenge on Barcelona when both sides meet in the Copa del Rey final. Mourinho's men were mauled mercilessly by their bitter rivals 5-0 in the league in November last year. Now both Spanish giants will have the chance to battle it out again after progressing from their respective semi-finals on Wednesday. Madrid overcame Sevilla 2-0 to complete a 3-0 aggregate victory while Barcelona won 8-0 on aggregate after thumping Almeria 3-0. Speaking post-match, Mourinho insists he is looking forward to only his second El Clasico but questioned the scheduling of the Copa dey Rey final. "It is great to see two rivals meet in the final," Mourinho explained to Marcapost-mach. " We had our difficulties, and this has hurt us throughout January. "We paid the price, but have receovered enough to progress to the final. It has all been worth it because we are now in the Copa final. "April 20 is a little strange for the final. We will now focus on the Copa later in the season. It was important for us not to lose control of this evening's match, and the goals gave us peace of mind. "We have had a good competition, which tested us with a Madrid derby," he added. Madrid currently trail Barcelona by seven points in the La Liga standings.

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Ronaldo: Messi is nothing to me Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that he feels no envy for Lionel Messi's glittering trophy collection. Speaking to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Portuguese admitted that he felt no rivalry with the player, but is intent on being "the best of all". He explained: "I do not have an obsession or a direct rivalry with him, it is the same that I feel about other players. One thing is certain, however, I want to be the best of all. "I feel no envy at all towards Messi. My priority is to win the Spanish title and the Champions League with Real Madrid, and not Ballons d'Or." Ronaldo also admitted it would be difficult to win La Liga with Barcelona's dominance and current form, but believes that the next El Clasico could be decisive to Real Madrid's chances. He added: "It is difficult, but not impossible. The next El Clasico will prove to be decisive, and it will be a great challenge for us after November's game at the Camp Nou. "That game has been forgotten and we will surely learn a lesson. You will see that next time we will be more prepared to face Barcelona. That was a bad night for many of us. At least eight out of the 11 gave a below-average performance." With rumours about Jose Mourinho leaving the club soon, Ronaldo pleaded with the manager to stay, saying: "I want to stay for many years in Madrid, and I can only say if I could be coached by him for the rest of my career, I would. I'm happy to work with such an ambitious person." Mourinho has been linked with several English sides, most notably Manchester United, after the Portuguese admitted he wanted to return to England to coach.

After returning from Chicago, where he underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc, Gonzalo Higuian sat down with Real Madrid TV and Realmadrid.com for his first interview back in the Spanish capital. Welcome home. How do you feel a little over a week since the operation? I feel very relieved, which makes me a more positive person and more upbeat for what is to come. I don’t know how long it will be before I am playing again, but I am happy and anxious to begin the recovery process. Did you think the surgery would go so quickly? The doctors told me I would leave the hospital on my own two feet. They wanted to send me back to the hotel right after the surgery in fact, but for precautionary reasons I stayed put for a night. They day I left I walked around Chicago for hours and hours because I was so happy that everything went well. Did you get a good sense of all the support sent your way by teammates and fans? I got emotional when I saw my teammates walk onto the pitch with supportive t-shirts on. I sent them all a special message. I haven’t stopped receiving messages of support, especially from Realmadrid.com and other social media sites. I am honored as both a player and person. I am sure everything will turn out well. That’s just the attitude you need during the recovery process. It’s exactly what the doctors told me. Step by step. We must be cautious. I am young and have a lot of years of football ahead of me. I would be lying if I told you I didn’t want to return as soon as possible. But it was a delicate operation and I need to return to the best possible shape. I am grateful to the club for all its help. I hope to return before season’s end. What was it like to have to stop playing at the moment you were peaking? It was vey hard. I had worked so hard to earn my spot, and when I felt the pain I just wanted to play through it. I just didn’t know when to stop because I love playing. You learn from your mistakes, though, and now I know to speak up when something hurts. No one expected this. I will always remember this surgery, but I am sure everything will be okay. I am more excited than ever. Why did you put up with so much pain? Because of pride and wanting to help the team and play in the Clasico. I spoke to the coach the day before the Barcelona match, but I wasn’t able to play. I was sad. But then I received a ton of messages of support and things got better. I must thank everyone; the club, the Argentine national team who sent the doctor to see me, Florentino, Jorge Valdano, my teammates... It became clear that people like you for who you are as a person, not just a player. No one remembers the titles you won after your retire. They remember if you were a good person, and that is so important to me. My job is obviously to play football and win titles, but you can’t share those titles with anyone if you aren’t a good person. It’s something I learned from my family and from Real Madrid. I received a good education and everyone around me always taught me to see things from a realistic perspective. Do you dream about playing when you are asleep? I can’t tell you how anxious I am to play again. If watching from the bench isn’t fun, imagine what it is like to watch from the stands for months. But that’s what I must do and I am strong enough to do it. I need to make the best of the situation. Have you thought about the day you set foot on the Bernabeu turf? I would rather not think about that day. I can’t be worried about it. It has crossed my mind, but I must first work very hard, be prudent and remain happy for what’s to come. The best way you can help your team now is by making a full recovery. Exactly. The support I am receiving is playing a key role in me making my return as quickly as I can.

Ruud: it was a forbidden love January 26, 2011 tags: rvn by unamadridista He won’t be returning home, but he still has a lot of love for Real Madrid (which is reciprocated). Ruud van Nistelrooy spoke with both AS and Marca yesterday as his dreams of coming back to this club evaporated, and what he said is very, very touching. I especially appreciate all the effort he made to return, and how you can practically reach out and grasp the love he has for this club. I’m so disappointed that we won’t be able to welcome this gentleman back. First up, the interview with AS. Q: The chants in the Bernabéu aimed at you show that you have not been forgotten. A: Yes (he’s silent and looks at the photos on the computer). Q: And what do you think about that? A: I’m touched by it. Q: Does it help to soothe the pain? A: It helps me and I keep in my heart the response of Madrid’s fans. I’m at a point in my career where I find it incredible what Madrid has done. They made an offer for four months for a footballer who’s 34 years old. It’s amazing! They came with everything. They did everything possible, and I did as well, but… Q: A forbidden love? A: Yes, that’s true. Those are things in life that make you think, “¡Joder! Mejor, imposible.“ Q: How did everything start? A: It was my agent, Roger, who told me about the interest on Jan. 13. I wanted to go to Madrid, but up to Monday (two days ago) evening there was no solution. Q: You offered to pay part of the transfer fee. A: Yes, I had no problems doing so. The important thing was how I felt. We made a huge effort, but… it wasn’t meant to be. Q: Did you see yourself in Madrid? A: Of course, when you’re relaxed at home and you daydream… I imagined returning to Valdebebas, playing in the Bernabéu. In the end, the answer was no, but I’m not going to give up. I’ll continue playing football, which is what I like best in life. Q: What did Raúl tell you? A: He was very clear. He knew what kind of opportunity it was and he wished me lots of luck. But last year I signed this contract and I have to live up to these responsibilities as well. Q: What did you say to try and convince Hamburg’s president? A: That it was a dream, that it was Madrid! But they didn’t want to do anything. Q: Are you upset with your club? A: I can’t say anything about the fans, the players or the coach. It was the club that made this decision. The most important thing is that I continue being a professional and a good person. Q: You never thought of going on strike to force a return? A: When you think about how Madrid is waiting for you, you think about saying, “take that! I’m staying in Hamburg, but I’m not going to play because I’m going to be sick.” No, no and no. In the end, that attitude does nothing for you. If I, as a person, did things like that, I would lose. [The Marca interview asked the same question, and Ruud's reply was along these same lines, but he added, "I'm a man of my word. No one made me sign with Hamburg and now I have to fulfill my contract."] Q: What did Mourinho say to you? A: He said publicly in Valdebebas that he wanted me. What else could be said? Q: Did you speak with any of your former Madrid teammates? A: Yes, with Diarra. I received a lot of messages from Madrid’s players and employees. Q: What do you hope for Madrid? A: I have all the faith in the world in this team and in this coach. It’s the only team capable of beating Barça. But they’ll do it without me. [sigh...] He also spoke to Marca. Q: Why didn’t Hamburg let you leave? A: It’s a good question. They told me that they couldn’t sell me because they needed me. It was not a question of money, since Madrid’s offer was spectacular: €2 million and a friendly, which could translate to two or three million more. But they said no. Q: Wasn’t there anything else you could do? A: No. I did everything I could. Ever since Madrid called me, I was constantly in the front office, and I spoke with the coach, the president… I begged them to let me realize my dream. I told them that it was not only my dream, but also that of my family, my wife, my kids, but it was impossible. Nothing worked. And it’s a shame, because the amount of hope I had was incredible… I’m staying here, although my heart is in Madrid. Q: Would you have played for free? A: I don’t want to go into details, since nothing matters anymore, but I was. Q: What was that call from Madrid like? A: It was an incredible surprise. I never imagined it would happen. It happened on a Thursday morning, Jan. 13. One hour later, I was calling Hamburg and starting to fight. I begged them not to take this away from me. Q: What’s your opinion on how Madrid handled this situation? A: They couldn’t have done more. I can only say thank you to Madrid, to their employees, to Florentino and the coach. They were wonderful to me, because they made me feel very special, because this call gave me two or three more years of football. It’s given me new life. Q: How many times have you dreamed of returning to the Bernabéu? A: Many times during the last week. And scoring goals, stepping on that field… I saw myself in Valdebebas and with Mourinho. But then I saw that Hamburg wouldn’t budge and I got nervous, and I couldn’t sleep well. Q: You had a bad time of it? A: Very bad, because uncertainty is horrible. Q: And now what? A: I’ll go to another club. I won’t renew my contract. Q: Do you feel that your history with Madrid is incomplete after all this? A: Madrid, the club and the fans, will always be in my heart. I left Madrid because I had a lot of injuries and I needed to play. And Madrid let me leave for free. Madrid is incredible. I will never forget what this club has done for me and I believe this episode will also form part of my history with the club. It would have been very romantic to return, but even with what happened, I believe that my history with the club will be remembered with a lot of affection. Q: The fans were chanting your name last Sunday… A: I’m speechless. I received texts telling me about this and I was touched. I sent them to Hamburg, to tell them, “look what the Bernabéu did for me, let me leave, please!” Q: You’ll always have that thorn of never winning a Champions in your side… A: It appears that way, and it hurts. I will retire without winning a Champions League. I really saw myself winning La Décima with Mou. Fate says Madrid will win on May 28 and I thought I would be there. When Madrid called me, I thought, “I’m going to win the Champions! I’ve thought a lot about what it would be like to lift up the trophy, to touch it…” A 17-year career, and I don’t have one of those. Q: Why do you believe this year will be the year? A: Mourinho is the best coach in the world. I think the team is doing really well and the coach manages them like no one else could during important moments. Q: Why do you have so much faith in Mourinho? A: Have you seen what he’s done in the last five months? That’s a real coach. It’s a completely different team compared to previous years; it’s a new team. His work has been wonderful. Look at Marcelo, he’s a completely new player under Mourinho! He gets the most out of everyone and that’s why I believe they’ll win La Décima. Look at Cristiano! He’s always been fantastic, but now there’s no one that can stop him. Q: What did Mourinho tell you when you spoke with him? A: That he wanted me, that he would count on me… When he publicly stated that he wanted me, it made me feel more secure about myself. He’s number one.