Gareth Bale

As a kid, you obviously dream of being a professional footballer. I would watch players like Ronaldo of Brazil and pretend to be him in the playground. But I don't think about trying to become one of the best in the world or anything like that. I just play football. ”

When I go on a pitch, I just try to enjoy it as much as I can. The more you enjoy it, the better you play. ”

I've certainly not got any famous people's numbers on my phone. It's just not my thing, really. ”

I'm a proud Welshman. ”

Every second I'm on the pitch for Wales is an honour, and I love playing. ”

I love playing for Wales. ”

I don't go out, so I don't get attention from girls. They're not going to have posters of me on their walls. I just try to get on with my life. ”

I still mess around and joke with my family and friends like I did when I was nine or 10. For me, nothing's changed. Sure, I play football, but I try to keep my life off the pitch as simple as possible. ”

My dad's the one who's always been there; he's my hero, you could say. Even when he was working, he'd do anything for me. He's been the biggest influence in my life. ”

I was never too much into school. I liked lunchtimes and breaks, but nah, I hated sitting at a desk. I was always looking out of the window, looking at my watch, thinking about when I could play football. ”