“I understand football through the ball. There are others who interpret...” — Quique Setien Quote

I understand football through the ball. There are others who interpret the game without the ball.

What I feel for the ball, what I enjoy, as a player and now as a coach, the satisfaction I feel when I see great players, is the same as in the school playground: seeing moves build, seeing understanding, passes flow, seeing it all fit together. That's what I admire and ultimately, that's what you learn at school.

We all have to sacrifice a part of ourselves, including the players, for the good of the team.

Real Madrid are a team who are a little anarchic.

If I win playing badly, I will not go home happy and I will never tell the players that the result was worth it.

I had played in the Mercurial since my teens, but once I had tried out the Magista 2 a few times, I was ready to make a change. It is light, so I can cover all the ground I need to, but gives me a feel for the ball that's right for my game.

It's only a hitch when you're in a slump. When you're hitting the ball its called rhythm.

Sometimes I have to shut off the omnipresent disco ball and flashing lights that are always in my head. It's a part of maturing, I guess - just learning that it's not just always about a quick, easy fix of getting people to dance.

You grow up dreaming about playing in the World Series since you're a little kid. I remember the days in the back yard with my parents playing whiffle ball, saying, 'Hey, it's Game 7 of the World Series, are you gonna win or are you gonna lose?'