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Truth to be told, yes, it does feel very strange to be in the Spain setup without Xavi. Ever since I broke through for Barca and Spain he's always been around. We've always had a great relationship and he's always set an example in every way, when it comes to camaraderie, how much help he's given me and, above all, in footballing terms.

It's Champions League nights when our fans roar us on even more, lose their voices, and we really notice it. That's what the Champions League means to me.

I can be the only defensive midfielder and try and break up play. Or I can play a little more forward.

I am a team player who tries to work for the team.

In the media, I do not feel recognised, but that's because I don't put myself in the media. I'm not a player who is always on Twitter or Facebook.

At times, I lack privacy.

It's the Champions League that really gets the Barcelona fans buzzing.

The work is intense. You have to calculate a great deal very quickly which requires football intelligence and real concentration. Part of my role is to shuttle between the defense and the attacking lines to make sure that the ball circulates well and quickly.

On a tactical level the defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation is just about the most demanding position there is.

In personal terms, Ibra is a great guy. He's a serious guy, who makes fun of you when you least expect it.

We're a team. We win and we lose together.

For me it's best to play midfield but if the team needs it, I can play anywhere.

We want to win every competition we play in.

All away games in the Champions League are difficult.

You always have to look at every game and seek to correct mistakes.

It sounds elementary, but I've seen some really talented kids leave Barca because they wouldn't listen or thought they had become a professional before they did. If you are not good in a group then you don't have a place at Barca.

This is football, no more explanation, sometimes the best team does not win.

It's always like that with Italian teams, they're competitive, they know what they want and they know how to get it.

I prefer the feeling of helping the team rather than shining above it.

In a final, it's winning that counts, it's not the style of play that people remember.

It's an honour to be able to wear the No.5 jersey and that Carles Puyol thought of me to inherit it.

As kids we'd be forever shooting at dad and I started as a striker, but I eventually became a pivote, the position I like most and best suits my characteristics.

In the world of football only the results are important.

A result doesn't determine the planning on the sporting side.

Stadiums are full, pitches are good, the press is different, people are different, the football culture is different. Everyone talks highly of England and I'd like to experience it one day. You see more space, more opportunity to enjoy your football. It's more physical, more intense, but I think I'd be comfortable.