Nicolas Anelka

“I was very young when I was with Real Madrid and in some ways 'appreciated it and in others I didn't.”

“It's good to experience different things.”

“If one day I leave Shenhua, it will be the day I retire.”

“I'd like to finish my career in Turin.”

“I missed out on the World Cup twice and it did not kill me.”

“In football there are lots of origins, cultures, religions and no one feels left out. We all play together and we are all friends. Supporters see that and feel part of the same family, especially in England where you feel very welcome.”

“I love all the clubs I play for.”

“I've always had fond feelings about Asia.”

“For me, ever since the South Africa World Cup, the French team is part of the past.”

“The one thing I can tell you is that I can't stand the English press, who cause me enormous problems on a personal level.”

“When I left Arsenal I never said I didn't like England. I was very young and my problems were all in my head.”

“At some point we must stop being paranoid and believing that we are all at war.”

“I have never had a problem with the Jewish community, and besides why would I have?”

“When I was playing for Chelsea, it was always tough to beat Albion.”

“I would be very happy if my career ended the way it started.”

“This is football, you always have to compete to be able to play. When you're at a big club, it's like that.”

“I have no record of racism or antisemitism, there is no evidence to support it, not even a shred of evidence.”

“With hindsight, if you want to play for Real Madrid, sacrifices need to be made but I was too young to understand. There are things I shouldn't have said or done. It was early in my career, maybe too early. I didn't know it was the only Champions League I'd win, for example.”

“When I knew I had the chance to play for Liverpool I couldn't refuse it.”

“I was very young in the past at Arsenal, at Real Madrid as well.”