Andrea Pirlo

Ancelotti moved me to a new position and helped me raise my game.

In order to go all the way, you need everyone's contribution.

I think if somebody knows how to play the game, he or she can play anywhere. You know how to fit in.

I want to be successful in playing the game. I'm going to do my best to help myself and my teammates play in the best possible way and reach successful results.

Not to feel important, be important - that's the most important thing.

I've always been used to playing 60 games - one every three days - and I've played on artificial turf. There is artificial turf in Europe as well in some places. There is heat as well. And if it's hot for me at 110 degrees Fahrenheit, it's hot for the others as well.

I never had any doubts. I wanted MLS. I'd followed it on TV, and I liked it. And being able to play in New York did the rest. I don't know if I would have accepted an offer from any other city.

As the years go by, you have to realise when it is the right time to do something different.

When I do retire, I am going to go back to Italy.

It would actually be a dream way to end my time in Turin, by winning the Champions League.

I still have a thorn in my side at not having played for Real Madrid or Barcelona, because playing there is a dream for every player. But I consider myself very satisfied to have played for the best teams in Italy.

Real Madrid? Any player would like to play for them.

Messi is the best player in the world; he is amazing.

I never compete to take part but to finish first.

Swearing's my release. It's the one weapon I have to defend myself against destiny when it elects to strike without pity.

One part of my job I'll never learn to love is the pre-match warm-up. I hate it with every fibre of my being. It actually disgusts me.

If you look after yourself and are willing to adapt - there is no reason why you can't play at the top level until your late 30s.

Top European clubs are always progressing with what they can do off the field. Training is getting more scientific, and we are constantly getting more educated on nutrition.

As a player, you get to the stage where you realise that you are not 25 anymore - and can't play the way you used to. The intelligent players adapt - and Steven Gerrard has the ability to do that. He is an excellent passer of the ball, possesses an intelligent football brain, and has great vision.

To be honest, I don't see anyone out there who plays the way I do.

There are many talented midfielders but not the kind of playmaker I am.

People compare me to Verratti, and I do really like him, but we have very different playing styles.

You give any team Pogba and Zlatan in one window, and they are capable of special things.

On the first training session Pogba had with Juventus, the players were laughing. We were not laughing for any other reason than we were just in total disbelief that this player with so much obvious ability was able to leave the club the size of Manchester United for free - and I think Juventus are still laughing.

It's the best thing that can happen to a player. Being able to play at the World Cup is already the best, but then to raise the trophy to the sky is a dream.

Until I was 30 years old, my body was used to my routine of eating pasta every single day.

Since I was a child, I watched tapes of Baggio, Zico, and Maradona, and then I tried to replicate them just playing on my own against the wall. Certainly it's talent, but you have to cultivate that talent.

People who don't know me think I'm so serious. I'm a prankster; I like to have fun with the people who know me better.

I like English football a lot.

I do not have a Facebook page, and I do not chat on Twitter. I don't have a web site, even if there are people who have opened one in my name, complete with my photo.

I don't like going on TV programmes.

The secret for someone in my position is to keep it simple. Keep possession and keep the ball moving quickly so that you tire out your opponents; that's my method.

To be useful in defence, to win back the ball, you don't always have to go sliding into the tackle. It's also about your positioning; sometimes all you have to do is take a step back.

First objective is always that of winning.

I think MLS is as important as any of the national leagues.

Better to leave before someone else has the idea of sending you away.

I love the food scene in New York.

Before every match, I eat pasta with tomato and chicken breast a few hours beforehand. In the hottest months, I choose to drink an energy drink before the match, too, but normally, I drink just water.

It's clear that anyone who plays in Belgium or another league with less quality still has a chance of making the Champions League or the Europa League.

I came to New York City as a player, so my objective is to take the team as high as possible, preferably to victory. If that helps Major League Soccer grow, then that's welcome, too, but I was signed as a New York City FC player and to do what's best for the team.

I've never needed to play for money. I play because I love football.

My passion is always the same. In fact, with a new adventure, the passion always grows.

I played with many champions, but the important thing is always the team, as the group goes beyond any single player.

There are so many different factors - luck, being in good shape when it matters, the draw. For these reasons, it's hard to win a European Cup.

It's not easy to win the Champions League.

When you're rivals, you can never be friends.

All my ex-teammates didn't want to become coaches, yet they've all done it.

I was lucky enough to play for the top three Italian clubs during the golden era of Italian football, so I have no regrets.

The Ballon d'Or has never been something that I've missed.

When you no longer feel part of the game, then you have to think about doing something else.