Guti talks to Marca…

… to make sure people in Madrid have not forgotten him!

Highlights:

Q:  How is your Turkish?

A:  Non-existent.  It’s very complicated.  I’ve learned a couple of words to be able to understand my teammates on the field, but most everything has to be in English, the dominant language among the team because there are a lot of foreign players.

Q:  Raúl has admitted that he’s feeling strange.  Is the same thing happening to you?

A:  Yes, I’m also feeling strange.  I feel like a youth player that has been called up to the first team.  But it’s just a matter of adapting as quickly as possible.

Q:  Have you seen Raúl in the jersey of Schalke 04?

A:  (Laughs).  Yes, the other day I saw a picture of him on the Internet and it had a profound impact on me.  But life continues, there are new stages, and that of Real Madrid has ended for Raúl and for me.

Q:  I’m sure you talked with him.  What have you told each other?

A:  We’ve given each other a lot of moral support.  It was hard for both of us to leave Madrid after so much time and when it appeared that we would both end our careers there.  The truth is, I’m happy for him, because it appears that things are going well and I hope the same goes for me in Turkey.  We’ve both chosen the same road: leaving Madrid to be able to continue enjoying football.

Q:  You know that Raúl became emotional when he saw you say good-bye, right?

A:  Yes, right after the act, he called me and told me that he had become emotional.  The truth is that those are feelings built up during many years and it’s difficult to suppress them.  A club like Real Madrid has a big impact on you and more for us, because we were there for so long.

Q:  Have you said good-bye to Madrid forever?

A:  No, it’s a ‘see you later.’  I would like to return to Real Madrid…  I wouldn’t want to be president, but perhaps sporting director.  Or something related to the youth teams to be able to help the younger players.

Q:  They say that Canales is the new Guti.

A:  I’ve seen him and the truth is that he’s very similar to me, both in his physical appearance as well as his playing style.  I hope he triumphs in Madrid because he’s a kid with the conditions and the desire to triumph.  He’s young and has very clear ideas.  They’ve done right by bringing him over this season, because the sooner he begins to play with the team, the better.

Q:  Xabi Alonso has taken over your 14.

A:  I’ve seen that, but that’s nothing strange because that was his number at Liverpool.  I told him at the end of last season: “I’m leaving you the 14, take good care of it for me.” [I don’t know why, but that phrase makes me sad.]  He has a lot of responsibility, but he’s a worthy successor.  Champion of Europe, champion of the world, what more could you want?