Key quotes from Gerard Pique's big interview with Papel
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has given a big interview to Diario El Mundo's magazine Papel. Here are some of the key quotes.
"I've been in this for years, and every time I do something I know the repercussion it will have. For example, between August and December, when we play less, I get stuck into 'messes'. Later I stop.
"In our dressing room there's talk about economics, society and politics. A bit of everything. With Mascherano I speak about politics, society, business. But there's also the type of player that when he hears us talking about the economy, will get up and go."
"I've never blocked anyone on Twitter, it's ugly. I understand that there are people who are against me, it's part of life. If everyone is on your side, something stinks."
"In this country what sells is to say you want Madrid or Atletico to do very well. Peace and love. All very pretty. But for me, this lacks substance. It's a false kindness going nowhere. I don't feel like this and I'm not going to say it. I feel passion for a team and as a rivalry exists with another, I want them to do badly. That's what sport is."
"When I said the thing about Kevin Roladan, I knew it could be something big, but not to the point it would affect the national team."
"Now I'm focusing on winning another treble."
"What stands out about Leo Messi in recent times is his solidarity. If he lacked anything it was that. For someone like him, it could have been difficult, but the way which he's embraced Luis and Neymar is "Chapeau!"
"It doesn't excite me to train, what I want is to compete. To compete fascinates me. And the more difficult the game, the more fun I find it. To win 6-0 or 7-0 and the rival is penned back, I don't enjoy it. My challenge in those games is minimal. I'm more motivated when we suffer and we end up winning. Those days I get back to the dressing room thinking "damn, we did things right today."
