Punctuality and showing respect in the workplace are the foundations of success. Success is meaningless without them. I'm always looking to pass these lessons on to younger players, because they are the secret of excelling and developing your game.Collection: Success
I believe that patience is fundamental in football. It is difficult as sometimes patience is not there. You must have a clear idea and a path you want to take.Collection: Patience
I like to work in a team. And for that you must have a structure that covers everything and that there is fluid communication.Collection: Communication
I believe it's important to have a sporting director - someone to facilitate the communication between the club and the squad, and work on its planning. But not just at Madrid, at all teams.Collection: Communication
A champion's thirst for titles should be insatiable.
I was lucky enough to play with Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Cristiano... but Messi is different; he makes everything look so easy, so effortless - even the impossible.
I believe that soccer in the United States lacks an idol and they should do everything possible to create one.
I was runner-up for the Ballon d'Or once and came third on another occasion. Could I have won it? Maybe. But I don't care. Football is a team sport.
I have always been there to help the team, sometimes coming off the bench, other times as a starter.
When I go five games without a goal, there's always a debate. Everything else that I do on the pitch is never valued.
I was close to joining Seattle Sounders when I left Schalke in 2012, but we decided to go to Qatar first.
I've always wanted to live in America with my family and learn more about its culture.
Playing on turf sometimes, not grass, makes it a little bit more difficult.
I'm not going to lie: not playing football will be very difficult for me.
I think it's important to work with children and teach them the right way to train and play at a young age.
The things you learn when you're young you don't forget.
All kids have the dream of becoming a professional soccer player, but to become that you need so many things. You have to have talent, be hard working, have support, have discipline. You also have to have ability, physical and technical, and understand the game.
It's a city that we have always liked. Who doesn't like New York? When you are here you do feel a bit more anonymous. Obviously, you still find people who recognize you, but it's nice to be able to go out and walk around and have it be a normal experience.
The European leagues and teams are more competitive, very technical. It was good to work in Qatar - a good experience for me for the future. In the U.S.A., the teams and the players are improving every season.
I set the record at Real Madrid in the Champions League, but Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world.
Every season is very difficult.
The intensity and speed of the ball on turf are very different.
I have five children of my own, so as a father I understand how important it is to help children in any way you can.
My time in New York has been amazing.
So once the game begins, it doesn't matter if it's 10, 20 or 80 thousand fans. The objective is to win the match, and that's where my focus is.
Everyone throughout the soccer world knows the Cosmos name and the legacy of the players that played for this team previously. They helped establish soccer in America and I'm honored to follow in their footsteps.
You need to take care of yourself, have a good diet, rest sufficiently and have a lot of enthusiasm.
I'm happy with, and proud of, everything I've achieved - of each game and each goal that helped the teams I played for.
It was only a matter of time until my records fell.
The key is to be the best-prepared possible and that is my commitment to the club.
I know a lot of marathon runners who are at their best when they are close to 40. You say to yourself, 'It's 42 kilometres and they are 37 or 38 years old,' but the body can. What you have to make sure you don't lose is your head. That is the most important thing.
From the time when I started out, the best players around then were Roberto Baggio and Ryan Giggs.
In the Bundesliga you don't have much time with your family.
Schalke will always be a part of my life.
My departure from Madrid was my own choice. I had one year left on my contract, but I decided to go for a new professional experience, so I joined Schalke. I have no problem with the club and our rapport is good.
Messi has a unique talent, he plays alongside quality players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Cristiano is also a great player.
It's important to get match rhythm.
I think that the message Zidane has to offer will get through to the players, because he was a world-class player.
I'm fully aware that Qatar are striving to become one of the leading sporting nations and they have big plans for football. Winning the honour of hosting the 2022 World Cup is the best possible proof of their intentions.
Never mind a year, if you don't win one game, it can become a complicated week! Yes, that's life at Real Madrid.
Look, every club needs stability.
The demands at Real Madrid are huge. The expectations are enormous. Sometimes, it is good. When you're winning, it's an amazing place and the fans are happy.
This is Real Madrid. You have to win titles every year. And if you don't? Oof, it's complicated.
My first choice will always be Real Madrid, but working at a global level for La Liga can't possibly offend anyone.
I hope things go well with Zidane, the same as I would have said about Benitez. Because what we all want is for Real Madrid to win trophies.
What brought me here was a desire to keep playing and the exciting project the Cosmos proposed to me. As well as being able to play, which is my passion and what I like doing, they also gave me the chance to help develop a youth academy, where I can bring my experience and knowledge to bear.
It is necessary that the coach has things as he wants.
You must believe in the players, their quality, and send the message that working together it was easy to win the Champions League and difficult for anyone to beat you.
When I was a player I always said I would only play for Madrid.
Harry Kane is a typical striker. He scores in every single game. I think he has great qualities. I like him a lot.