Lothar Matthaus Quotes

I never imagined playing in El Clasico. I used to watch the games and look at photos, and I used to say how incredible to play in it was.

Real Madrid are always after the best talent.

The press often ask me about Messi and Ronaldo and who is the best, but one thing for me is very clear. For me, the No. 1 is Andres Iniesta, because he is my team-mate for Spain, and I can see that he is able to do even more difficult things on the pitch.

I've never met a player like Leo Messi.

I know from playing against Mata that he's a great player.

Madrid excites me. They are one of the best teams in the world.

I think La Liga is the best league in the world.

Messi has the best technique in the world.

I always say that I need competition, and I need competition every week, and in Spain, I was at an amazing club, but I had four matches a year: Barcelona v Real Madrid, Real Madrid v Barcelona, and after that, we'd win 4-0, 5-0, 4-1, 6-1.

Obviously, there are many clubs that make me dream, like Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Anything can happen in the Clasico.

There are so many great players who have played for Real Madrid.

When I talk to my colleagues from the national team, they always talk to me about Real Madrid.

Messi plays in Spain, we know he makes a difference, but if you've played against him then maybe you're aware of situations that can repeat on the pitch. But Messi is Messi, with his talent, he may send a spark with very little and make the difference. He is unpredictable.

Dembele is a great player.

My overall favourite player would be Iniesta. For his final ball, obviously, his skill, and his ability.

Ability-wise, when you see the best of Aaron Ramsey... at his best, is he good enough for Barcelona? Yes he is, at his best.

I like a lot to watch Real Madrid and Barcelona, which are my favourite teams in La Liga.

It's always difficult to face Barcelona. They always have top-quality players.

Messi is a player who can play in any team.

I prefer Real Madrid to Barcelona.

The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona is very big.

The best player I ever played with is probably Cesc Fabregas. I only got to play with him for a year before he went back to Barcelona, but I learned so much from him - the way he knew what he was going to do with the ball before he got it and his passing - and he scored goals.

Barcelona and Real Madrid wingers, these are the big players at the big clubs and you have to watch them. They are at a top level. I'm not going to say they inspire me, but I take things from them.

As I'm growing up, going into holding midfield, I'm watching Busquets quite a lot for Barcelona. The way he controls the game, his reading of it, technically, defensively - everything about him cuts him out above the rest. I'm really enjoying watching him.