Q: You had strong words when talking about "People's Golden Ball", is this a political message?

A: "No there was nothing political, it's just in relation to where I come from, all my fans. I say + People's Golden Ball + because they participated in it, they pushed each time despite the obstacles, at all times. I wanted to share this trophy with them because they deserve it too, since Lyon they have always been there to motivate me. Today, I am happy and I hope they do too."

Q: What has changed about you in recent years?

How did Zinédine Zidane, former Real coach, help you?

A: "I've always had this trophy in my head, but what has changed after thirty years is my ambition. My ambition is to work a lot more, to focus on football, to be a leader in my team. I'm lucky enough to play for Real Madrid, in the best team in the world. At twenty, I didn't have the same ambitions. When I was at Valdebebas (forced to spend the international breaks at the center of Real Madrid training, at the time of his non-selection in Blue, editor's note), these were the most complicated moments. +Zizou+ has always given me confidence in myself and that is the reason why I am here tonight."

Q: You had three dreams as a child: to give your mother a home, to play for Real Madrid and to win the Ballon d'Or.

Do you have a dream left, perhaps with the Blues?

A: "Already, it's done, the promises to my mother have been kept, that's why I'm very proud. I still have ambition, I would like to win the World Cup with the team. of France because these are things that remain. I hope to be in the group in Qatar, in any case it is objective because I have great confidence in myself, I have ambition. I have want to go to the World Cup and do everything to win it."

Q: Is there a budding rivalry with Robert Lewandowski, like before between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?

A: "For me there is no rivalry with Lewandowski, we are two different players. He is a great football player. He does what he has to do and he does it very well. But I don't of rivalry. For me, it's no good doing it. I focus on what I'm doing, on my game, what I can improve."

Q: President Emmanuel Macron has sent you warm congratulations.

Does this Ballon d'Or allow you to enter even more into the hearts of the French, after the many years away from the selection?

A: "Thanks to the president, it's a pleasure. When I play football, I don't come home telling myself that I have to please, I try to do my best on a field. If I give emotions, it's well that motivates me, otherwise I look at what I have to do to improve myself. It's still football, a show, like when I was little. In any case, what I know is that today Today people are proud of me, that's why it's also their Ballon d'Or."

Q: You are one of the oldest Ballon d'Or players in history.

Until when do you plan to play?

A: "I don't know for how much longer. When I get up in the morning and it becomes too hard to go to training, I'll stop. You have to want to go to training, there I want it. Other Ballons d'Or? I already have one, it's a lot of work, sacrifices, you have to go home, calm, be proud, then continue to be good. There is time to think about another Ballon d'Or."

Comments collected at a press conference.

© 2022 AFP