Gareth Bale

“I don't think you ever feel 100 percent throughout a season. If you ask any player, I don't think they ever feel 100 percent fresh every week.”

“I was never too much into school. I liked lunchtimes and breaks, but nah, I hated sitting at a desk. I was always looking out of the window, looking at my watch, thinking about when I could play football.”

“As a kid, you obviously dream of being a professional footballer. I would watch players like Ronaldo of Brazil and pretend to be him in the playground. But I don't think about trying to become one of the best in the world or anything like that. I just play football.”

“Every second I'm on the pitch for Wales is an honour, and I love playing.”

“I always believed in my ability, but I think in any sport you need that little bit of luck.”

“I probably prefer Spanish football to the others. It's very technical, the way they play; they keep the ball well, and whenever Spurs have played against Spanish teams in the past, they've always made it difficult for us.”

“I play computer games, watch TV and do what normal people do.”

“I love playing for Wales.”

“You've just got to listen to what experienced people are telling you. You've obviously got to listen to what they want you to do in training and in matches and commit to improving every aspect of your game.”

“I'd say that Spanish football is probably the best I've seen.”

“To represent your country is a massive honour.”

“Playing with and for the best can only help you to improve.”

“I don't give much thought to individual awards.”

“I'm ambitious, I want to play in the Champions League, and that's the aim with Tottenham - to start qualifying for the Champions League on a consistent basis.”

“I'd say that La Liga is slightly more technical than the Premier League.”

“When you play in the Premier League, say you're playing against a lower-end team, they set up to defend all the time, they set up to block you off. But when you play in the Champions League, all the other teams are used to winning every week, so it's more of an open game, it's more attacking, end-to-end.”

“Everyone knows that I like to play centrally, where I can drift around. I like coming in off the right flank and having more freedom. I don't mind playing on the left, although I prefer playing centrally or on the right.”

“The most important thing is to not waste your money.”

“My friends and family keep me grounded.”

“When you're a sub, it's a game of more than 11 players starting the game.”