There were many good reasons to move to Bayern, and Pep Guardiola was definitely one of them.
— Xabi Alonso
My idea was to stay in Madrid. Then, when I heard of Munich's interest, I said, 'Xabi, think what you want and where you will be happy.'
I have improved with time by playing for elite teams in elite leagues and the Champions League and with the Spanish national team in World Cups and European Championships.
If I have to yell at Cristiano Ronaldo, I yell.
I feel good; my family and I feel comfortable in Munich.
In England, those qualities of playing it simple, being in the right position, reading the game, knowing the right moment to make things happen around you are not appreciated. Making a tackle, a run into the box - the spectacular things are more appreciated.
Madrid is a big city. It's very dynamic and cosmopolitan.
You need to have the same ideas to work as a team, to have a good team spirit. And you don't get there in a day or even a month. It takes some time to get there.
Cristiano has unique qualities, brings danger in one-on-one situations, and has the ability to score and find something different.
I think Kimmich is a bit like Mascherano. They are similar type of players.
How many times have you seen me run into the box with the ball, dribbling past players? It's uncommon because it's not my game; it's not my thing.
Kroos is an excellent player.
I'm very satisfied to close my time as footballer.
Ronaldo can create and score goals.
Guardiola has a lot of knowledge about the game and understands the psychology of the players. You can see all the things he is doing well.
Everything can change in the Champions League.
People in Liverpool are very welcoming.
With Senna, I am not incompatible; I am not incompatible with anyone.
I came from my hometown team, Real Sociedad, to the best team in England, to the best team in Spain, to the best team in Germany.
I feel very comfortable with the system used by Mourinho. It's a very dynamic 4-2-3-1 that can easily change to 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 depending on the moment or the team's needs. He really knows what he wants.
Anoeta is always a tough place to go: people get right behind their side.
I want to win the Champions League with Bayern.
You have to know your role and accept it, because that's what is best for the team.
Each time I watch a Liverpool game, I feel something special, especially whenever it's at Anfield, because it brings back great memories.
Of course it's better to have good players to build a better team. But to build a team, you need to have time.
While I was at Madrid, for me, Cristiano was the best.
At Liverpool, I used to read the match day programme, and you'd read an interview with a lad from the youth team. They'd ask age, heroes, strong points, etc. He'd reply, 'Shooting and tackling.' I can't get into my head that football development would educate tackling as a quality, something to learn, to teach, a characteristic of your play.
I have learned from all of my coaches, and I am sure I will learn a lot with Guardiola.
I remember playing with my dad, and my kids will remember this as well.
Football is a lot to do with mental state.
Mesut is one of those unique players you see every once in a while. He has the gift of a perfect touch in tight spaces that makes him special.
When I was a Real Sociedad player, we lost on every occasion we visited Camp Nou. Maybe that is normal for a small team, but with Liverpool and Real Madrid, you expect more.
When the results are good, everything seems prettier; when things go bad, it seems like all conflicts, personal disputes, and problems arise.
The midfielders are important: they have to offer themselves to receive the ball and make good use of it, take choices, try not to lose the ball and defend. But I don't feel like a leader at all.
There have been many games where Xavi and I have played together, and I think we work well.
I have been progressing throughout my career, which is a very good sign.
It's hard to imagine being an ex-player. It's not easy to find a new passion.
Losing is a part of this sport.
Sometimes that kind of last-ditch tackle can get the crowd excited, and you get a push from that. It's important to play with that psychological side of the game, but it depends on the quality of the player.
I hardly ever get in the box.
Leaving Liverpool was the toughest decision I had to make in football because I was in an exemplary club, a proper football club, with a lovely and sharing stadium that meant a lot of things to me. The fans are the best in the world, no doubt about that, and I was comfortable there.
I prefer not to compare teams because it's not fair at all.
I will always be grateful to Liverpool. It is a very special club.
I don't try to do things that might make me look stupid, because the risk is there.
I have been lucky enough to work with great coaches. My father was also a coach, and my position in central midfield requires tactical knowledge.
I accept I am going to miss playing because it's such an important part in my life. It's going to be difficult to fill that gap. Life goes on.
Real Madrid is a big club, and like at any other big club, too, there are always critics after defeats.
Anything can happen in football.
I have played at Liverpool, a special club, grown as a player and won titles.
I used to enjoy watching Ronald Koeman, even though he didn't play in my position. I loved the way he hit the ball, the talent he had to position himself.
