I know most of you aren’t fans, but I found the interview extremely interesting, because you learn a lot about Royston Drenthe the person, and those are the kinds of things that matter to me, in the end.  Plus, at times, it’s just downright amusing.

Q:  How are you doing in Alicante in this new stage of your life?

A:  It’s a laid back city with friendly people.  It didn’t take me long to adjust.

Q:  In Madrid, they called you “El Malaguita.”  Do you know why?

A:  That’s what they called me.  Iker and Ramos told me that it was from a movie with a guy called El Malaguita and he always went around stealing things.  It was a joke.  I don’t have to steal anything, thanks to God.

Q:  Where are your roots?

A:  I’m from Suriname.  I was born in the Netherlands, but I feel like I’m from where my parents were born.  They came to the Netherlands at the age of four and of seven.  Later on, my father worked as a stevedore in Rotterdam port.

Q:  Do you go to Suriname a lot?

A:  Yes, this summer the entire family’s going.

Q:  What’s that country like?

A:  It’s very tropical.  It’s next to Brazil, Jamaica.  It’s full of happy people that love music, and it’s always sunny.  There are a lot of five-star hotels being built now…

Q:  You and your father have the same tattoo, the numbers “010.”  What does that mean?

A:  It’s the telephone prefix for Rotterdam.  Amsterdam’s is “020.”  There’s a lot of rivalry between the two cities.

Q:  What was the neighborhood where you grew up, Rotterdam Oost, like?

A:  If you go there, tell me so I can accompany you, it will be better that way.

Q:  Is it dangerous?

A:  Not very, but we’re from the streets.  That’s where we like to be, to play ball, listen to music, skateboard, hang out with friends.  There’s no criminals, but it’s not a place to be if you’re looking for peace and quiet.  It makes you tough.

Q:  What did you learn from the streets?

A:  Almost everything I know.

Q:  Were you in a gang?

A:  Of course, but we didn’t have guns or anything like that!  We were called the Demolition Crew; later on we formed a band.

Q:  Have you ever been in a street fight?

A:  In “a” street fight no, in a lot yes (laughs).  Cosas de niños.

Q:  How much is each of your gold teeth worth?

A:  Not as much as people think.  A diamond is more expensive.

Q:  Was that in fashion?

A:  When I was young, I liked it a lot and I still do.  And my wife has no complaints.  She says that now when she sees something shiny far away, she thinks, “there goes Roy!”  And she likes it.

Q:  Davids was your big idol.  Do you remember when you met him?

A:  He played on the streets like me, although we never talked.  My legs trembled when I saw him in front of me.

Q:  What is it like playing on the streets?

A:  It’s not easy.  It’s not about your physical condition, there are fat kids who play very well.  You have to learn to do tricks.

Q:  Do you still remember any?

A:  The “Aka.”

Q:  What?

A:  The “Aka.”  With the outside of your foot, you nudge the ball out and in the same motion back to you.  Ronaldinho does it very well.  I’ll going to dedicate an “Aka” to you in the game against Almeria.

Q:  What was your first salary?

A:  €3,000 at the age of 16.

Q:  What did you do with it?

A:  I didn’t touch it.  My mother held it for me…

Q:  The boss!

A:  A woman with a lot of character.  My mother would almost kill me each time I did stupid things out on the streets.  My father was much kinder.

Q:  You dance well, no?

A:  Of course I dance well.

Q:  Better than you sing?

A:  I dance and sing equally well, tío.

Q:  Do you dance when you go out?

A:  I’m not going to go out and sit on the sofa!  What kinds of questions are these…

Q:  Is being an elite athlete and going out a lot compatible?

A:  It depends on how you feel.  I can’t go to sleep early, because I can’t fall asleep.  But I don’t go to bed at six in the morning every day either.  Siestas help a lot.

Q:  Do you go out a lot or not?

A:  I’m 23 years old, what do you think?  If I win a game, why not?  But if I lose, you’ll never find me in a club.

Q:  You seem to be very spirited.  How many times do you make love every week?

A:  With my wife?  That’s private (laughs).  I have three kids, so imagine…

Q:  You’re very effective.

A:  I’ll only say that doing it is very important to me.

Q:  What’s it like having three children?

A:  They’re my entire life.  I have two daughters, and a son on the way.  The two-year-old is enormous, she’s like a six-year-old in the way she talks and what she says.  The small one, who’s one and a half, walks and talks already.  She says, “Papa, papa, papa” all day long.