Miguel Torres press conference
Miguel Torres, like the rest of his team-mates, hopes the team ends the season with a victory at the Bernabeu against Mallorca.
You must be anxious to win before your fans on Sunday in what will be the last match at the Bernabeu this season.
It’s important to have a good end to the season at home in order to be excited at the start of the holidays and do better next year. I hope those of us who haven’t played as much get a chance to do so, and I also hope it turns out to be a good game in which we all have fun.
Today is Iker’s birthday. Have you congratulated him in any special way?
Besides being one of the captains, we are all very fond of him as a team-mate. It wasn’t anything special; we simply wished him a happy birthday and we hope he has a good day with his family.
Today is the eleventh anniversary of the Club’s 7th European Cup title. Do you feel nostalgia?
You feel nostalgia because you want to be at the very top too. The level at which Barcelona and Real Madrid play is always of the highest order, but both teams have been above or below each other depending on each season. Barcelona have been better this year and must be congratulated for their success. The beauty of football is that things can change all of a sudden. We must have the best possible end to the season, especially to make the fans happy with our work. We will change everything we did wrong this year in the coming season.
How did you experience the team’s seventh European Cup title?
I was at home and it was a wonderful moment. I went to see the reception people gave the players when they landed in Madrid. It was a diifferent feeling from the one I had in Cibeles last year. It’s nice to experience a celebration from two different points of view.
Mijatovic has announced his departure from the Cllub. Is this the dawn of a new era?
A time of election is at hand, with new people that have new ideas for the Club. I am grateful to Mijatovic because he was one of the people who wanted me on the first team. I made it thanks to him, Capello and Michel. They gave me a chance. I hope I do well in the future, wherever I may be.
Did he say goodbye to the squad?
I guess he’ll come over tomorrow. He’s always been close to the players. We all get along well with him. I am grateful to him for how he’s always behaved towards me and I wish him all the best for the future.
Do you think Madridismo will remember him for what he did as Sporting Director, as well as for the goal he scored in Amsterdam?
Real Madrid has many Club Members and they will all have a different opinion. Some people may like him and others may not. It is not my place to judge him. I can only be grateful to him for allowing me to reach the first team.
Journalists and fans alike believe you will stay on the team.
I am grateful for that. I want to play more and to continue having the support of the fans. I hope I stay next season and that we have a competitive team that all Madridismo likes. I wish to count for Real Madrid. If not, I won’t make any trouble. Academy players never do.
Pedja Mijatovic leaves the Club
Real Madrid’s Board of Directors and the Club’s Sporting Director, Pedja Mijatovic, have reached a mutual agreement for the termination of the latter’s contract, which was originally set to end in June 2010.
The Board wishes to express its most sincere gratitude for the work Pedja Mijatovic has done in the past three seasons, during which the Club won two league titles (2006/07 and 2007/08) and one Spanish Super Cup (2008). Real Madrid and its Board wish Mijatovic all the best in his future personal and professional endeavours.
Pedja Mijatovic statement
As per the annnouncement moments ago by the club, the Board of Directors and I reached a mutual agreement for the termination of my contract as Sporting Director of Real Madrid.
With the end of the season in sight, the team mathematically qualified to finish second and the electoral process officially under way, I believe this move was the most appropriate in order not to interfere in any way with the important events that will take place at the club in the next few weeks.
I will always be grateful to the current Board of Directors for the faith placed in me over the last three years.
Everything achieved over this time could not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and professionalism of all those that were members of this project, by which I would like to thank the fans, all the players from the first team down to the youngest academy teams, all the coaches and technical staff who I have had the honor of working with and each and every club employee and member of the press. Without them the objectives which we achieved would have been impossible.
I say goodbye with the feeling that I did my duty with positive results both professionally and personally. In these three years, the first team won two league titles and one Super Cup, but what makes me even more satisfied was the opportunity to take part in projects and hopes with such a fantastic group of people.
Real Madrid is a very important piece of who I am, and at this time in which I bring to a close my second cycle with this club, I would like to express my best wishes for the new path that Real Madrid is about to undertake. As the true Madridista that I am, I will continue supporting the team, enjoying the victories and celebrating titles that are won.
I cannot bid farewell without a heartfelt thank you to my wife and children, to whom I owe everything to. They are my life support and those that have had to suffer the sacrifices that go along with my job. Thank you to everyone.
¡¡Hala Madrid!!
Pedja Mijatovic
Cannavaro on Radio Marca
Fabio Cannavaro will play his last game at the Bernabeu as a Madridista on Sunday. He told Radio Marca, “Real Madrid is in my heart.”
What’s your fondest memory of your stay at Real Madrid?
Real Madrid is in my heart. It’s been a marvelous experience. I wish I had signed earlier for the Club!
What have your team-mates said to you?
‘Fabio, you can’t go, you must stay.’ I want to thank them because they’ve always treated me very well.
How would you summarise your three seasons as a Real Madrid player?
The first season was the weakest I had in my entire career. I admit that. My mind wasn’t set on football after winning the World Cup, and the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player Award came soon after that. I lacked concentration and made many mistakes. The fans stood by me nevertheless and we won the title thanks to an historic comeback. We won the title again the following season and it’s been a shame not being able to say goodbye with another title. Nevertheless, two leagues and one Spanish Super Cup aren’t bad at all. My family and I have been very happy in Madrid.
You didn’t win the Champions League.
That’s what hurts the most. This club lives for the Champions League and we failed to live up to the challenge. We’ve had a good team for la Liga, but we’ve always lacked something in Europe.
Can Florentino Perez put Real Madrid back where they belong?
Everyone knows what he did. He is the number one candidate.
Which Real Madrid player would you take with you to Juventus?
I would take Mahamadou Diarra. I’ve missed him a lot.
How does Casillas feel when you say the best goalkeeper in the world is Buffon?
Look, I’m referring to an entire career, but there is no doubt in my mind that Casillas was the best goalkeeper last year. Iker has matured a lot. I must say we didn’t get along during my first year here because I didn’t like it when he blamed his team-mates for the goals he conceded. He is more relaxed now and a better keeper. He has grown to be a man.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak