Quotes

It's genetic. I exercise, but I gain mass very quickly.

My training? I don't do weights. It's hard to believe, but I don't do weights.

The happiest I can be is when we win games.

Few people will say maybe I had a tough time with different teams like Aston Villa and Middlesbrough but in each situation, I tried to take the good things.

Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, they showed me what is English football. It's tough, it's difficult and they showed me how life is like in professional football.

About Mali, they came to my house. We spoke and after that, the guy posed for a picture giving me a Mali shirt. With Spain I didn't go because I was injured. When the time comes, you will see which team I decide.

We wanted to be footballers, not part of some gang.

Wherever you come from, even if it's a rough neighbourhood, there are always good people who know what they want to do.

There were gangs in the school I went to. They fought each other constantly.

We know about Portuguese football, we know the Portuguese culture.

That has to help if you know the mentality of your opponent, and how he wants to play.

If I do not have the option of Barca and I have to go to Real Madrid, I do not close any doors.

I have been playing in different positions and I keep growing.

I believe if you keep pushing and keep believing, you get your rewards.

I don't have resentment towards Barca, only good memories, but if Real Madrid called me I would think about that offer in the same way I would if it was a Barca one.

All Spanish players want to play for the national team.

I spoke to Mali and they understand; I've never lived there and I never said I was going there, my intention was always to play with Spain.

We have to play the game, you can't go on to the pitch thinking the game is already lost.

Offers from Madrid or Barca will come when they come, but my mentality is to continue growing as a player.

My greatest strength is my speed and power. This is what stands out more but I'll get better, I have many attributes.

My heroes were Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, and now it is Messi.

When I left Middlesbrough I went back there and bought a lot of shirts from the club shop and signed them for the fans. They were very good to me and I wanted to say thank you.

The most important thing for me was talking to players like Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Javier Mascherano - they would tell me about the life away from football. All I wanted to do was play football but they explained how important everything is away, how you prepare and live your life.

Whether it's 90 minutes, or a half, 10 minutes or whatever, I want to show what I can do.

I like to improve myself every day and whatever my performance, I will always believe I can do better.