Claude Makelele

“I know I want to be at the top level one day when I am prepared for it.”

“I decided to return because of Zidane. One day Zizou called me and asked if I'd be prepared to play for France again. I just laughed because I thought it was a wind up.”

“When one shows good leadership, good mentality and is a team-mate, all the others follow him, 100 per cent.”

“I'm desperate to get to another World Cup and I feel ready for the battle.”

“What? We can't beat Arsenal? My team-mates were insecure and that shocked me, I had come from Real Madrid where I won everything.”

“Learning from the best is easy and it isn't just footballers, coaches should also learn.”

“There aren't many players around who can organise the game from in front of the defence. You have to be fast, work hard and know how to read the game.”