I dreamed of ending my career with the Inter shirt, Inter is my house and I'll try to give my contribution off the pitch as well.

Messi is the best player in the world, the things he does with the ball are incredible. If someone knows how to stop him, they have to tell me.

This is football, and one cannot be distracted at any moment because the opposition can put you in difficulty and compromise a result.

I grew up in a humble neighbourhood in Argentina called Dock Sud. From my house, about 200 metres away was a football pitch. That's where I spent my childhood. It's a neighbourhood where everybody helped each other because there was a lot of difficulties. There, I grew up happily, because I learned a lot of things.

I don't mess around when it comes to fitness.

My secret is to train as intensively as I can, if possible, with the same intensity you experience in a real match.

My team-mates at Inter mock me when we are training. 'Stop running, let us win for a change,' they joke. But as long as my body responds, I will keep playing.

I have always been proud to play for my country and every time I am called up, I play with the same desire and commitment.

Injuries are part of the job.

Messi is an extraordinary player, but your squad is pivotal: at a World Cup, the 11 players on the pitch and everyone else in the group can all play an important role.

If I had a lock of hair out of place then I would not feel OK.

Feeling my hair in place gives me confidence. It's a question of image but also of character.

I liked my father's work. But above all I liked the idea of doing something concrete and useful. Building a house is a metaphor that I like, it's at the core of my life philosophy: starting from the bottom and reaching the top.

You need passion and commitment in your sport or else you will never survive that long. Of course you also have to give it your best shot and be responsible for your own behaviour both on and off the field before you can fully enjoy the game for such a long period of time.

I am very happy working with Inter, helping them build the club's international relationship with both Fifa and Uefa, promoting the marketing side, its social responsibility activities as well as being involved with the club's academy.

It wasn't my target to work as Argentina team manager.

We believe in a better world, an unglobalised world, enriched by the cultural differences and customs of all the people.

When I look back to my childhood, many concrete scenes come to my mind, good ones and bad ones.

Benitez is a coach with clear ideas and lots of experience in football.

Every coach has his own ideas about managing the team and how it plays.

When I was promoted to the main squad at Talleres de Remedios de Escalada, I felt my dream had become reality.

I've been lucky to be part of very good teams and to play with immense players.

Even though I started out at right-back, I actually enjoy the contrast of playing both at full-back and in midfield. Both require physical attributes and a lot of energy.

The important thing is to train well during the week so you perform well physically come matchday.

I've managed to play most games every season for many seasons. That gives you confidence and stability.

The thing about Champions League football is it can turn on an instant. You can have a very good, solid team over the course of the season, but the Champions League is more like the World Cup, where your fate can be decided in a second and you need a bit of luck too.

In the past a lot of Italians emigrated to Argentina, and now us Argentinians, and in my case, us footballers, are returning to Italy. We always try to keep our identity.

Inter have given me everything.

I can honestly say that there's nothing more beautiful for a sportsperson that to play for his or her country, regardless of the tournament or the location.

Football always gives you a chance to set the record straight. Things go full circle and end up the way they should be.

Inter are a huge club and so always obliged to win.

I'm a fan of Independiente, so I'd naturally like to wear their colours, and I also like Banfield, who gave me a lot as a young player. Either would be nice.

Throughout my career I have always done everything with passion.

Football has given me a lot and I have tried my best to give something back.

I have always tried to be myself on the pitch and probably my biggest pleasure is when fans of other teams come to show me their respect.

Milan are always a team to be respected.

Before coming to this decision to leave the game I had thought about it a lot.

The bond between Inter and I will last forever.

We Argentines do not realise what Leo represents for the whole world.

Messi is an ambassador of Argentina, and I am also proud of him as an Argentine.

What can you say about Messi? A guy who has won five Ballon d'Ors, four Champions Leagues and has scored 97 goals in a year. There is no need to win a World Cup to certify that talent.

Recovery after hard work is key for any athlete.

I live every training session to the fullest as if it were a final.

In 2000, with Tardelli at the helm, I really thought about leaving Inter. I had an agreement with Real Madrid and everything was ready for me to move to Spain.

I arrived at Inter when I was very young and I had the chance to play with Giuseppe Bergomi, and I met Giacinto Facchetti too.

My kids go to school in Italy and after my playing career is over I want to spend time with my family.

It's always nice coming back to the national side.

I'm not surprised by Mazzarri's ability, I knew him as an opponent.

My only desire was to defend and honour the Inter jersey in any country all over the world.

Inter are one big family to me and the club is like a second home to me.