Iker at AS [2010-04-17]
Iker is the cover boy of today’s AS, wearing a really chunky, “at least they’re not white” pair of sneakers, with his jeans tucked into them (is it wrong that the worse he looks, the more adorable he becomes to me?). In the interview inside, he talks about a variety of things, including the Almería game, the current situation, Barcelona, la selección, Sálvame…
My favorite question has to be this one. Cheers to Carmen Colino for asking it!
Q: Why have you looked so pissed off in each game recently?
A: It’s more fed up than pissed off. I’m a born winner, I always want to win, and I don’t like to lose at anything. This is a problem I have because I’m very competitive and in Madrid you always have to give more than you can… I don’t want Madrid to go through bad times.
The shoes:
The rest of the interesting (to me) questions and answers after the jump!
Q: What do you have to say to those who say you’re not playing well?
A: When you’re at the top of your game for many years, it’s normal for people to expect a lot from you. And much more when you’re named the best goalkeeper in the world. I understand and I’m committed to try and stay at that high level. I know my strong points and no one is going to take those away from me because I don’t play well in two games.
Q: And how are you now?
A: Very good, to tell you the truth. Phenomenal. As Luis Aragonés would say, I have a clear conscience and I sleep very well at night.
Q: What is it about Pellegrini that you all defend him so much? I haven’t seen anything like it since when Del Bosque was coach.
A: He’s a normal person, committed, noble, with great ideas. He makes mistakes, but then everyone does. We’re very happy with him, he’s very fair. My personal relationship with him is great, and we don’t have anything to complain about.
Q: Why have you and Ramos decided to be the ones to step up and take control?
A: We all have a role on the team and there’s a hierarchy: Raúl, Guti and I have been here many years and now Ramos is like one of us. Raúl has played less this year and now he’s injured, and Guti has also been injured, so Sergio and I are the ones to step up.
Q: In Sálvame, they said that Cristiano had a party at his house 24 hours before the Clásico. Cristiano and the club are taking legal measures. Does it bother you that they say things like that?
A: I’m not going to answer that, but I will say that everyone talks about Madrid and some make a living off of it. They don’t only talk about how we play, they talk about everything. But they have to respect our personal lives. Each person does what they want to, I’m not going to enter into that. People can judge me if I don’t play well, but not for my personal life, and not based on lies.
Q: What message do you have for Madrid’s fans?
A: I can’t promise 98 points, but I promise we’ll take it step by step and that we’ll fight to win each and every game.
Q: Are you optimistic, or do you see the Liga as a done deal?
A: The truth is that I believe it’s possible to win the Liga. We’ve played good football, we’ve worked hard and luck will help us accomplish our goals.
