Q:  You grew up admiring Zidane.  What did you like most about him?

A:  The ease with which he handled the ball, his agility, how dangerous he was in front of the goal.  He was a complete player, as cold as ice.  I admired that a lot.

Q:  Which games that Zidane played in do you remember?

A:  Of course, the final in Glasgow with that goal against Leverkusen.  It was a world-class goal.  I dream of scoring a goal like that, although the important thing is to play in the final and win it.  It won’t matter who scores the goals later on.

Q:  How do you communicate with your teammates?

A:  Sometimes in English, sometime a bit in Spanish.  I understand a bit and there’s an assistant coach, José Morais, who translates things for me at times.

Q:  How many days a week do you study Spanish?

A:  Two or three, depending on if there’s Champions League games.

Q:  Do you think that Cristiano is an individualist?

A:  No way, he’s a team player.  You could see that in the second goal against Espanyol, when he gave a great pass to Higuaín.  We’re happy to be able to count on a world-class player like him on our team.  He’s very important for us.

Q:  Who on the team has surprised you with his quality?

A:  (Thinks).  There are a lot.  I don’t want to leave anyone out.  They’ve received me with open arms and I feel like we’re a family.

Q:  We want to get to know you as a person.  What did your grandparents do when they came to Germany from Turkey?

A:  My grandfather worked in a metals mine.  But I don’t like to talk about my family because I prefer to keep them in the background.

Q:  But your father was someone important for you in your career?

A:  Of course, he’s always been at my side, even now.  I’m very grateful to my family and friends.

Q:  Is it true that he was always on the sidelines giving you instructions in Turkish, which caused confusion?

A:  No, no.  When I was a kid and didn’t play well, he would point that out, even when other parents told me that I had played well.  He was always sincere with me, and that helped me to learn a lot of things.

Q:  What is the best piece of advice he’s given you?

A:  To believe in myself.  I’m a very religious person.  I pray before games and that helps me.

Q:  What do your parents do?

A:  My father was self-employed and my mother a housewife.

Q:  Have they come with you to Madrid?

A:  No.

Q:  Did you feel different growing up in Germany because of your Turkish origins?

A:  Never.  I’ve never felt hostility.  I always had a lot of friends and I still have the same friends.

Q:  Did you think your childhood was difficult economically speaking?

A:  My childhood was great.  I enjoyed it a lot.  My family gave me everything I needed.

Q:  What did you do with your first big paycheck?

A:  It was in Schalke, I got my driver’s license and I bought a car, and I started helping out my family.

Q:  Do you consider yourself a shy person?

A:  No, but I am reserved.  I’m a calm person, but when I’m around my friends I joke around and I could talk a lot.

Q:  What do you like about Madrid?

A:  I usually stay at home.  I was surprised by how nice the people are and how many things there are to do.

Q:  What is your biggest defect?

A:  I don’t know.  I enjoy my life and I’m grateful for what I have.  I’m a happy person and I have everything, thanks to God.

Q:  Have you been able to play any of your rap songs in the locker room?

A:  Some players already heard them before.  It was an idea from Nike, who sponsors me.  Jan Delay is very well-known in Germany.

Q:  What songs do you like the best out of the ones played?

A:  I like hip hop, redmanblues [rhythm and blues?].