Fernandinho

“The English league itself is very strong physically, very demanding.”

“After I signed for Man City, the people back home in Brazil congratulated me for signing for one of the top teams.”

“As a human, as a professional player, you have to improve every day, every training session, every game.”

“In the end, we parted ways in good terms, and Shakhtar had a nice sending-off for me. I wish them well, and I am sure they feel the same.”

“Willian is fantastic. It was good to be with him in Ukraine, where we won several titles together.”

“The Selecao is always treated as favourites, so we're aware of our responsibility, and the goal is always to enter every competition to win, and the World Cup is no different.”

“In Ukraine as well as in Brazil, Manchester City is now considered one of the best teams in the world, and after I signed, people back home in Brazil congratulated me for signing for one of the top teams in the world.”

“I've always dreamed of playing in the World Cup and wearing the Selecao jersey, but I knew how difficult that was, what with me playing in Ukraine for Shakhtar.”

“Shakhtar specifically are proud when traditional clubs from Europe come knocking, and I knew it would be quite hard to convince them to let me join City. Listen, I am absolutely thankful for the opportunity they gave me, but I also think I worked my socks off for that club, and it was time to look after my career.”

“I believe my chances of making the World Cup squad will improve if I join City. My exposure would be better because Brazil is biased towards the Ukrainian league.”

“One of the positive things about Pep is that he is so close with his staff - they support him in every situation, and we, as players, have huge contact with them.”

“Most of the players can get injured, small ones and big ones. But when you get the small ones, you have to fight against them and play, play, play.”

“Playing for a huge club in a huge League makes me so happy.”

“When you have this desire to win, to win, to win, I would not feel comfortable losing a title.”

“I was so happy to finish my first season in England with two trophies.”

“The Premier League is considered the best league in the world.”

“I spent eight years in Ukraine, and I played against Kiev many times.”

“Football doesn't depend just on your brain. It's not like on a computer. It depends on your body, too, and sometimes you are tired. Sometimes the opponent closes the space very well and marks you very well. Football depends on many things, not just on you.”

“Would I have preferred not to play in a home World Cup for Brazil, a privilege that most people in this world can only dream of? Not a chance.”

“For me, the Premier League is the best tournament in the world. It's the hardest; you need to be 100 per cent to play every game.”