Athlete

It takes a great strength of character to arrive at Real at 18 years and make a journey like I have so far.

You will rarely see a defender in front of the opponent's goal.

It's impressive to be compared with Hierro.

I am super nice, I am great, even in the dressing room. I am also quite shy. But when there are difficult times or when you have to show your character, you can count on me. The players who have known me for a while know this.

I have my style of play and people can criticise me for that which is not a problem.

Being able to get some games under my belt and feeling the confidence of the gaffer is something very important to me. That way I feel good on the pitch.

It's hard to criticise Ronaldo. When we come back from an away game at 4 A.M., he is one of the players that goes straight to the training complex to jump in cold water to accelerate the speed of his recovery. He is an example to follow.

Our objective is to win - always to win.

I have known Eliaquim Mangala for quite some time and we understand each other well.

I am not one to discuss my future publicly.

What's for sure is that the profile of the central defender is evolving. At one time it was all about the stopper and the libero. Today, central defenders have to be more complete.

I am thrilled to become part of the HyperX family and to join this amazing group of talented ambassadors.

When you are at Real, it's a challenge every day. I'm like that, I need these high goals to keep moving forward.

In Madrid there is a lot of competition.

Basically, I played football to share with others, to excel together, to achieve a goal. After, we all have our ego, our pride and our personality. But all alone, in football, it does not work.

Winning the Champions League is the dream.

I try to improve and learn, that is good for my career.

Ronaldo is a bon vivant, he is friendly, he always has something to help you progress. He wants to be the best around. It infuriates him when he loses, he cannot stand it. It's true that sometimes, in the dressing room, it's fun to lose just to make him mad!

You cannot have the career I'm having, staying at Real Madrid for seven years, without character.

It's not a fault in football to be ambitious, far from it.