When I was a kid, I used to love playing football so much that I genuinely wouldn't be able to fall asleep at night.

Ever since I was five years old, running around the streets of Zona Norte with a football, my mother has been by my side in every situation.

I left Brazil at 17 years old in order to give my family a better life, but when I returned home two years later, I was completely disillusioned with football.

You have to go to sleep at night staring at the wall, thinking, 'Damn, I can't wait for it to be morning so I can have the ball at my feet again!' You can only play your best football in these conditions.

For a footballer, not playing is like a fish not being in the water.

A lot of people felt it was difficult for me to come to Barca because I was playing in China. Nevertheless, I have achieved my dream and I am enjoying each day.

I have always fought to play for great clubs and to play for the Brazilian national team.

When the transfer window opens, every player can leave his club and find another challenge.

It really is one of my qualities, moving into different areas of the field, picking up opponents as well as helping to attack.

Lampard is a great player, not only for Chelsea, but in world football.

I'm certain I can fit in at Barca and prove that all the effort they made to get me here was worth it.

I've played football my entire life, all over the world, and the one thing I've learned is that the important thing is to enjoy your work.

I promise hard work and I will do everything to help my team mates.

Football can change very fast.

You are told before coming to Europe that big teams here quite often rotate players. I respect this culture but it is instinctive for me to get annoyed if I don't play every game.

I've always been this kind of player: since youth level I've been a midfielder who can arrive and finish.

I had no problem with Pochettino.

One minute I was with Tottenham, the next came a proposal from China. I took a step back to think about it and decided it was the right time to move.

My first game with Pochettino I played in my position. But after that I played in every single position but mine.

I suffered racial abuse in Lithuania, and in two games the fans were making monkey noises and throwing coins at me.

In a year with him I played in my position two or three times and I played well. But that's not to say that I had a problem with Pochettino. It was his decision.

I want to take advantage of every year I have at Barcelona. I don't see any other place where I'd be better off.

In Lithuania they had racially abused me, in Poland they hadn't paid me, and I thought: 'I don't need this.' I said to my family: 'I'm not playing football again.'

If you are not playing in your position in a league as competitive as England then it is difficult.