Quotes from Nicolas Anelka

Honestly, when someone speaks to me about Juventus I try to change the subject immediately. I'm ashamed of the transfer!

I was sixteen when I converted to Islam. Beyond the fraternal aspect, my conversion did not change my life. I was already living by the same principles - being righteous, having values.

I used to fast during Ramadan because I admired the people fasting around me. What made me convert was that I had that certainty that Islam was for me. I felt this relationship with God, and that enlightened my life. I had that conviction in my heart that that was my religion.

I have never had a problem with the Jewish community, and besides why would I have?

All I've ever wanted is to improve myself and become the best, which is the reason I joined Real in the first place.

I have been impressed by Carlo Ancelotti, Kevin Keegan, Arsene Wenger, Guus Hiddink, Christoph Daum and Sam Allardyce.

When I was playing for Chelsea and Arsenal, we had a young team but also experienced players. You still have space for the youngsters to play, they just have to be strong mentally to compete every week.

A lot of youngsters want to be footballers and a lot dont make it. It is very difficult but if your education is good and you work hard and do everything the best way, then why not?

I have been obsessed with the local cultures during my previous trips to the likes of Korea Republic, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Chinese Hong Kong and Macau.

I like to walk down the street in England and just be myself but I could never do that in Spain. In Manchester I can walk down Deansgate and not be troubled.

I know the French mentality.

For me the most important is on the pitch, I don't like too much speaking in the press. I will do the minimum. I will do it because I have to do it.

My quenelle was very misunderstood.

In Spain you can't do anything. If you drive, everyone recognises you; at a restaurant you have paparazzi outside.

I am shy, quiet and like spending time with my family.

It seems that Gerard Houllier did not appreciate my personality. It bothers him to have someone around who could stand up to him.

When you live in England you can lead a normal life.

Nowhere is the same as England and that's why so many players want to come over here. That is why I would like to finish my career over here.

If one day I have to go to war, straight away right next to me, on the front line, I would put Patrice Evra. And there aren't many that I would put there.

Sometimes things don't go exactly as you'd wish. You have to be mentally strong to overcome those moments.

In football you need to be versatile sometimes, because the most important thing is to win games and enjoy your football.

I have an affinity with Algeria, because I grew up with plenty of Algerian friends in the suburbs of Paris.

Football is open to anyone, especially somebody like me who grew up in the Paris suburbs.

I've played as a striker all my life. To play on the right or the left is always difficult.