I was happy to be in the Argentina league. Then I started to play slowly, and I went to Italy and I started in the second division.

I had to play on many other teams before I made it on the Spurs. When you make that kind of journey, it only helps you when you get here.

Some people think, 'Who is this guy? Where did he come from? I never heard of him.' But it took me time to become a good NBA player.

First, confidence in your talent and then confidence that the team is going to look for you, because they need you. And when you reach that point, it changes a lot, because your mindset is completely different.

The fans in the United States, they are, well, more polite. The fans in Argentina can get wild, crazy. If you meet people in a restaurant, it is fine, but when they get in groups, woooo - it gets dangerous.

It makes me feel good to do some things for my people. I believe we really help. I know we are not changing the world, but we try to help different people in different situations and we think we are accomplishing it.

There's always somebody better than you.

If I can hit a couple shots early, the opponent guards me in a different way.

Many times, we athletes have a camera in front of us and in many cases a lot of people with that same background or history do not have that opportunity.

A few kids maybe never had a chance to go to a game, watch us on TV, so to see us around could be important to some kids.

I came to San Antonio without knowing anything about the city.

If you're from Argentina, you don't dream about these things. You probably dream about being in an Olympic game, but winning it? Going there and beating the NBA stars' team... you don't dream about that.

I'm not going to live off the past.

I think most of the compliments I've received during the years has been about my competitiveness. My desire to win and do things for the team to get to that goal. I think that was the one I heard the most.

Playing with Fabricio Oberto for four years was incredible.

I think you got to live in the present and once it's over, it's over.

It's always tough to see a teammate go unless he is willing to go.

It is always painful when you see a teammate leaving. You create a bond, and you have been together for so long, and you are going to do your best with your guys.

Winning is a very exciting thing, for a moment.

I need and want to spend time with my kids.

I'm not good with long rests.

I don't follow the NFL.

I don't buy this 'be a leader' thing. You don't force a leader. It just happens.

When you get blitzed on every pick-and-roll aggressively, you've just got to find the open teammate.

I know a lot of people want to buy puppies, but adopting a dog who needs a home is doing something good.

Some dogs are escape artists.

I don't understand people who would move, even inside the city, and get rid of their dog.

We all need to get our pets spayed or neutered.

When all your teammates make shots, it's easy to get assists. Nobody feels the pressure to score. It makes the game so much easier.

As long as we keep playing well, having a great record, that makes everything easy.

I just try to create and make plays.

Obviously, there is not one player in the world that doesn't like making shots.

I'm very low-key.

I do not travel. I take two steps always.

I don't listen to music. I'm not that type of guy.

Probably 60% of my followers are from Argentina, so I tweet more in Spanish.

I can't play in a way that I am afraid to be injured.

I have three goalkeepers who really inspired me. Jens Lehmann was my idol because he played for Schalke and was really progressive in the way he developed the position in Germany. I also have a lot of respect for all that Oliver Kahn achieved with the national team. Outside Germany, I would add that Edwin van der Sar was a big role model.

I do not like the red carpet; I prefer the green pitch.

After matches, the highlights show mostly the goals, scoring chances, assists. The spectator tends not to remember that, as a goalkeeper, I make difficult saves at great risk and start moves with my efforts.

Food is a passion for me, especially Italian cuisine. I prefer to have somebody cook for me, but I can do some very nice pasta dishes.

You can plan, but what happens on a football field cannot be predicted.

I'm not the sort of person who poses in their underwear.

I used to cry when I let in a goal. I always thought I was to blame because I was the last man.

On the pitch, I conduct and organise. I'm loud.

Nervenstarke means that no matter the situation, I have to show my teammates that I remain prepared and confident and there for them. They have to feel my Nervenstarke.

The calmness and confidence I take into matches has an effect not only on our rivals but also on my team-mates, who are counting on me.

The team is the star at Manchester United.

I think at the age of 30, you still have youthful aspects, but at the same time, you have gathered enough experience to know how to succeed in life. I like this mixture.

I'm the 11th field player.