Pedro Leon to Realmadrid.com
Pedro Leon is off to a flying start in his first preseason with Real Madrid as he has already demonstrated in training this summer. The new Madridista sat down with Realmadrid.com to offer his impressions on his first few weeks with his new team.
Pedro Leon: "Real Madrid looks like a huge club from the outside, but now that I am a part of it, I can say it is even bigger"
You have been a Real Madrid player for almost three weeks now. What has the change from Getafe to Real Madrid meant to you?
It has been a very big change for me. Real Madrid looks like a huge club from the outside, but now that I am a part of it, I can say it is even bigger. On the pitch, football is just football, but everything related to the team is very big.
How have your teammates welcomed you?
All of them are treating me very well. It is a very good team and hopefully this will be the beginning of a successful season for Real Madrid. They are all very friendly and I have nothing to complain about. Granero and I have known each other for a while because we played together on Spain’s Under-21.
How do you handle the responsibility of playing for Real Madrid?
Playing for this team implies great responsibility and since I was a kind I always wanted to be here. So I am very happy to be a part of the team and I will wear this shirt with great pride.
What do you think about Mourinho?
He is one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best, and hopefully the hard workouts will help us over the long term. This is a good way of training because it’s the best way for the team to improve.
What are Real Madrid’s goals this season?
This team always has to play to win and accomplish as many objectives as possible. We are working very hard to make it possible.
What do you think about the new signings?
They are young players who are going to make Madridismo happy, which will be very positive for the team.
Higuain press conference
Gonzalo Higuain appeared very motivated and upbeat during Monday’s post-training press conference.
Number ’7′:
It doesn’t matter what number a forward is wearing on his back. What matters is the number of goals he scores. I am going to continue wearing my number because I am fond of it and I have played well while wearing it. Numbers don’t matter, but the crest does.
Raul:
Raul helped me a lot and he is a Real Madrid legend. I am very grateful, but he decided to start off on a new adventure in Germany and I hope it goes well for him.
Mourinho:
Mourinho is a winner. He has won eveything there is to win and we hope he does the same with Real Madrid. He demands the most from us and we will incline.
Training:
All the ball work we are doing makes training much more pleasant. It is important that we have contact with the ball because it allows us to hit our form faster.
Benzema to Realmadrid.com
One year after joining Real Madrid, Karim Benzema feels completely integrated within the team. After going through the typical adjustment phase, the French striker feels he will be back to his old form in no time.
Karim Benzema: "I hope to score a lot of goals for this team"
What can we expect from you this season?
I have played for this team for a year now and my Spanish is much better, which makes me feel more integrated. I think this is going to be my year at Real Madrid.
What can you contribute to the team?
Goals. I hope to score a lot of goals for this team this season. I am going to work hard so that people have faith in me. It’s going to be a good year for me.
What are the team’s goals this season?
We have a new coach who is very excited about this project, so that will help a lot. A team like this one always need to aspire to win every title in play and we will fight to do just that.
What is your opinion on Mourinho and how do you two get along?
Mourinho is a great coach. He is very strong and very good for us because he talks to the players and instills confidence. He is a winner and he expects the best from each of us.
What has he asked of you this season?
He has asked that I play the football that I am capable of and that I score a lot of goals, and that is what I will do. He has a lot of confidence in all of us, which is very important to the players.
How do you feel about the new signings this year?
They are great players and good for Madrid. We need to work hard to be prepared for the season. This team needs to reach for the stars.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak