Nicked from RAWK.
It's mostly about the Spanish NT and about a book he wrote in Spanish talking about his experiences with the National Team, the WC, anecdotes, ect but he does talk about his future with Liverpool on one of the questions and some people might enjoy it regardless. Pepe talked to 'El Larguero' of Cadena Ser in Spain where he is with the national team at the moment ahead of the clash in Portugal midweek. A lot of the living Spanish internationals of many generations got together at the Spanish NT headquarters for a group photograph as a form of tribute or homage to all the players. And there was also an homage paid to the WC winners with Blatter present. The first couple of questions are in relation to this.
How did the tribute go this morning?
- Very well, it was emotive and beautiful. It's always nice to meet peers of past generations and having a chat about our experiences and our daily lives.
Had you ever taken a group portrait with over 400 people before?
- Only once before, I believe. When we did something similar right before the World Cup this past summer[laughs]But it's a very nice thing to do. It's Spanish football, it's history. It's a photograph that frames some of the greatest footballers of all time and I'm very proud to have been a part of the act. And I speak on behalf of my father also, of course.
Were you specially excited to have met someone in particular?
- Well, all of them in general. I think that when you - From my time in Barcelona I coincided with Dani Garcia Lara, Alfonso...then from having played against other professionals that I pretty much idolized and whose stickers I collected growing up- and you see them all together, and like i said before, they're part of the history of Spanish football and it's a beautiful thing to be a part of, when you are in the photo.
That's what i mean, when you can meet with the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano, Luis Suarez - the only Spanish player to have won the golden ball-. I imagine it's a bit extra special, no?
- Ignacio Eizaguirre...There are some very imporant figures in our football history and my father as well as I, were delighted and very pleased, and also felt very privileged of having been present on this special occasion.
Among those 400-plus present, Pepe, there are some that are opting for the FIFA Golden Ball. Tomorrow is the final voting day, who would you award it to this year?
- I think the ones that are being talked about. In this case, for me Xavi and Iniesta and Messi are the best, or have done the most to deserve it...
But it's better to aim close to home right?
- Of course that I would love for Xavi or Iniesta to win it and specially, not only for this season but Xavi for his career in general, I think he deserves an award like the Golden Ball and hopefully they will award it to him.
Hopefully, hopefully...because with the trajectory of the Spanish national team these past few years it would represent a well deserved prize for the Spanish collective. Pepe, the people already know you're a goalkeeper, that in your free time you are also a "speaker" but you are now also a writer!
- Well, not quite [laughs]I didn't do the actual writing myself but we wanted to imprint, if you will, those anecdotes and occurrences that perhaps not everyone got to know about, not everything has been told of course but there are some really nice things, some very interesting things that I believe people will be excited to learn and i think it will bring more than one smile to people's faces. So i hope people will enjoy it, that they read it comfortably and i think it will be an entertaining book.
A book that is called "El Mundo en Nuestras Manos: Asi Fuimos Campeones" (The World in Our Hands: This is how we became champions). The prologue was done by Iker Casillas and epilogue by Victor Valdes. What a luxury to have the collaboration of these two, no?
- Yes, the editorial were telling me "this is going to be the safest bet to sell this upcoming Christmas, no?"[laughs]...Well, it was important for me that my team-mates, Iker and Victor in this case, were also a part of this book or had some collaboration on it, and i'm delighted that they agreed to do it by writing the prologue and epilogue.
It's clear that your relationship with Victor Valdes is awful, eh?[laughs]
- Yes, it's truly awful we get along worse and worse every day...
[laughs]
-...and we're always fighting...
Im sure he charged you a lot for helping you with the book!
- Haha, no, friends are there to do each other favours not to charge them money!
That's why, that's why [laughs]And Pepe what else could we find in this book. I've given it a little glimpse, haven't been able to read it because I just got my hands on it today, i must confess but you do talk about some anecdotes, you talk not only about how the Spanish national team became champions but about the path that took you there. Also, you talk about your evolution as a footballer, and you also dedicate a chapter to describe each of your team-mates in the national team. Give us a little overview.
- Well, it's basically what you just mentioned: dedicating some words to each of my team-mates and to each one of the people that were a part of it, from directives to coaches, assistants, all the people behind the scenes that no one sees but who are also there and make our job a lot easier. So it's for them, for my team-mates, an act of generosity if you will, towards them because always from a place of respect and affection I tell of some anecdotes, funny stories and beautiful moments, key moments during that World Cup, things that people are not aware of and that they could find interesting and I enjoy sharing with everyone. And then, like you said, some flashbacks on my career of important and decisive moments, and some personal stories that I wanted to share, no?
If you had to pick one chapter or one moment or anecdote that you talk about in your book, besides the goal that made us champions, which one would you choose and why?
- In paticular, and i think the reader will realise this immediately, I have an enormous weakness for my grandfather, rest in peace, and I remember him in this book just like I was reminded of him during the 2008 Euro and the World Cup and that chapter is particuarly emotive, important and different to the rest of the book, so in his honour i wrote part of this book and it is dedicated to him as well.
And it is a book that has a lot of photographs as well which helps to illustrate everything you talk about, no?
- Yes, yes. The truth is that Carmelo, the national team photographer, has been terriffic to us and we owe to him the great illustration found in this book and he's done us a great favour.
Yes, the book looks real nice, comes with a lot of photos and from what I've been able to read so far I've quite enjoyed so we recommend it to everyone: "El Mundo en Nuestras Manos: Asi fuimos Campeones". Pepe, and after the homage this morning it was back to work this afternoon in order to get ready for the friendly against Portugal.
- Yes, it's a nice measuring stick for us. Always a special match against a national team with a lot of prowess and lets see how it all goes. But we have the exciting task of continually having to defend that title of World Cup champions with pride and hopefully things will continue to go well for us and they are an important rival, a difficult test in a complicated stadium to play in, so lets see how it goes.
Yes, because it is supposed to be a friendly but every time you face a big opponent such as Portugal, the friendly tag gets tossed aside and everyone plays at their full potential.
- Every time you put on that shirt, it's a cliche as they say but it happens to be true. When you put on that shirt there is no margin for error, no possibility of it being a 'friendly' and you always go out to try your best and to win.
Since we're on the topic of shirts, do you like the new kit?
- Yes, yes, it's nice. Specially because of the little patches added for winning the World Cup and also the star on top of the crest...
The star Pepe is what does it for me...
- Yes, the star...the star is wicked!
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
- The truth is that the kit is pretty and we're going to wear it with pride and for whoever gets to wear that shirt now it's a dream come true.
But that shirt it's going to be even better in four years when we have two stars!
- I would wear one giant one on my chest and the other one my back but i don't know if it will be possible! But lets try to win it first, lets try to defend our Euro Cup title, first by actually qualifying for it and then doing a good job and then there'll be plenty of time to think about Brazil, god willing.
Well i can see that you're delighted about the national team like every time you get called up for the squad. In the Premier with Liverpool this year the start has not gone as well as expected no?
- Well, no, no. We're going through difficult times but I have confidence on the team to react and that in january things change and the team ends up where it should be which is in the higher part of the table and that things once again return to the way they were before and the team recovers little by little.
I have to ask you about two things. The first has to do with your future, there's been a lot of talk about you not being completely happy at Liverpool and you are looking for an exit or that you would like to leave the English club, is there any truth to this?
- No, i'm not looking for anything, quite the contrary! What i looked for this past May, was to renew with Liverpool because im very happy. I think i've signed a very good contract for the remainder of this and the next five years and then, logically, what every professional wants is to win, wants to be competitive and play for a competitive team. And well, hopefully the team will once again become that and that I stay there for many more years.
And the other question: I know you live in England but i imagine that all the information out of Spain reaches you. I don't know if you've learned of the words exchanged between Preciado and Mourinho. Mourinho accusses Preciado of gifting Barcelona a win at the Camp Nou or at least not putting his first team on the pitch for that match. Preciado answered back and called him "a villain" and a bad colleague. How is all of this perceived from afar?
- To be honest with a lot of indifference because we have enough on our plates to be paying attention to other stuff! I think these are things that are a part of football that make it bigger than it is and gives it a little more nerve or fun and spice and without it I don't think the press or the fans could live without.
Well Yes, and taking into account that you are in England and playing in the Premier why would you worry about what goes on here but dont worry that we'll make sure we get enough out of it! Pepe Reina, always a pleasure talking with you, thank you very much!Cheers!
- Very well, cheers to you all, thank you.
It's mostly about the Spanish NT and about a book he wrote in Spanish talking about his experiences with the National Team, the WC, anecdotes, ect but he does talk about his future with Liverpool on one of the questions and some people might enjoy it regardless. Pepe talked to 'El Larguero' of Cadena Ser in Spain where he is with the national team at the moment ahead of the clash in Portugal midweek. A lot of the living Spanish internationals of many generations got together at the Spanish NT headquarters for a group photograph as a form of tribute or homage to all the players. And there was also an homage paid to the WC winners with Blatter present. The first couple of questions are in relation to this.
How did the tribute go this morning?
- Very well, it was emotive and beautiful. It's always nice to meet peers of past generations and having a chat about our experiences and our daily lives.
Had you ever taken a group portrait with over 400 people before?
- Only once before, I believe. When we did something similar right before the World Cup this past summer[laughs]But it's a very nice thing to do. It's Spanish football, it's history. It's a photograph that frames some of the greatest footballers of all time and I'm very proud to have been a part of the act. And I speak on behalf of my father also, of course.
Were you specially excited to have met someone in particular?
- Well, all of them in general. I think that when you - From my time in Barcelona I coincided with Dani Garcia Lara, Alfonso...then from having played against other professionals that I pretty much idolized and whose stickers I collected growing up- and you see them all together, and like i said before, they're part of the history of Spanish football and it's a beautiful thing to be a part of, when you are in the photo.
That's what i mean, when you can meet with the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano, Luis Suarez - the only Spanish player to have won the golden ball-. I imagine it's a bit extra special, no?
- Ignacio Eizaguirre...There are some very imporant figures in our football history and my father as well as I, were delighted and very pleased, and also felt very privileged of having been present on this special occasion.
Among those 400-plus present, Pepe, there are some that are opting for the FIFA Golden Ball. Tomorrow is the final voting day, who would you award it to this year?
- I think the ones that are being talked about. In this case, for me Xavi and Iniesta and Messi are the best, or have done the most to deserve it...
But it's better to aim close to home right?
- Of course that I would love for Xavi or Iniesta to win it and specially, not only for this season but Xavi for his career in general, I think he deserves an award like the Golden Ball and hopefully they will award it to him.
Hopefully, hopefully...because with the trajectory of the Spanish national team these past few years it would represent a well deserved prize for the Spanish collective. Pepe, the people already know you're a goalkeeper, that in your free time you are also a "speaker" but you are now also a writer!
- Well, not quite [laughs]I didn't do the actual writing myself but we wanted to imprint, if you will, those anecdotes and occurrences that perhaps not everyone got to know about, not everything has been told of course but there are some really nice things, some very interesting things that I believe people will be excited to learn and i think it will bring more than one smile to people's faces. So i hope people will enjoy it, that they read it comfortably and i think it will be an entertaining book.
A book that is called "El Mundo en Nuestras Manos: Asi Fuimos Campeones" (The World in Our Hands: This is how we became champions). The prologue was done by Iker Casillas and epilogue by Victor Valdes. What a luxury to have the collaboration of these two, no?
- Yes, the editorial were telling me "this is going to be the safest bet to sell this upcoming Christmas, no?"[laughs]...Well, it was important for me that my team-mates, Iker and Victor in this case, were also a part of this book or had some collaboration on it, and i'm delighted that they agreed to do it by writing the prologue and epilogue.
It's clear that your relationship with Victor Valdes is awful, eh?[laughs]
- Yes, it's truly awful we get along worse and worse every day...
[laughs]
-...and we're always fighting...
Im sure he charged you a lot for helping you with the book!
- Haha, no, friends are there to do each other favours not to charge them money!
That's why, that's why [laughs]And Pepe what else could we find in this book. I've given it a little glimpse, haven't been able to read it because I just got my hands on it today, i must confess but you do talk about some anecdotes, you talk not only about how the Spanish national team became champions but about the path that took you there. Also, you talk about your evolution as a footballer, and you also dedicate a chapter to describe each of your team-mates in the national team. Give us a little overview.
- Well, it's basically what you just mentioned: dedicating some words to each of my team-mates and to each one of the people that were a part of it, from directives to coaches, assistants, all the people behind the scenes that no one sees but who are also there and make our job a lot easier. So it's for them, for my team-mates, an act of generosity if you will, towards them because always from a place of respect and affection I tell of some anecdotes, funny stories and beautiful moments, key moments during that World Cup, things that people are not aware of and that they could find interesting and I enjoy sharing with everyone. And then, like you said, some flashbacks on my career of important and decisive moments, and some personal stories that I wanted to share, no?
If you had to pick one chapter or one moment or anecdote that you talk about in your book, besides the goal that made us champions, which one would you choose and why?
- In paticular, and i think the reader will realise this immediately, I have an enormous weakness for my grandfather, rest in peace, and I remember him in this book just like I was reminded of him during the 2008 Euro and the World Cup and that chapter is particuarly emotive, important and different to the rest of the book, so in his honour i wrote part of this book and it is dedicated to him as well.
And it is a book that has a lot of photographs as well which helps to illustrate everything you talk about, no?
- Yes, yes. The truth is that Carmelo, the national team photographer, has been terriffic to us and we owe to him the great illustration found in this book and he's done us a great favour.
Yes, the book looks real nice, comes with a lot of photos and from what I've been able to read so far I've quite enjoyed so we recommend it to everyone: "El Mundo en Nuestras Manos: Asi fuimos Campeones". Pepe, and after the homage this morning it was back to work this afternoon in order to get ready for the friendly against Portugal.
- Yes, it's a nice measuring stick for us. Always a special match against a national team with a lot of prowess and lets see how it all goes. But we have the exciting task of continually having to defend that title of World Cup champions with pride and hopefully things will continue to go well for us and they are an important rival, a difficult test in a complicated stadium to play in, so lets see how it goes.
Yes, because it is supposed to be a friendly but every time you face a big opponent such as Portugal, the friendly tag gets tossed aside and everyone plays at their full potential.
- Every time you put on that shirt, it's a cliche as they say but it happens to be true. When you put on that shirt there is no margin for error, no possibility of it being a 'friendly' and you always go out to try your best and to win.
Since we're on the topic of shirts, do you like the new kit?
- Yes, yes, it's nice. Specially because of the little patches added for winning the World Cup and also the star on top of the crest...
The star Pepe is what does it for me...
- Yes, the star...the star is wicked!
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
- The truth is that the kit is pretty and we're going to wear it with pride and for whoever gets to wear that shirt now it's a dream come true.
But that shirt it's going to be even better in four years when we have two stars!
- I would wear one giant one on my chest and the other one my back but i don't know if it will be possible! But lets try to win it first, lets try to defend our Euro Cup title, first by actually qualifying for it and then doing a good job and then there'll be plenty of time to think about Brazil, god willing.
Well i can see that you're delighted about the national team like every time you get called up for the squad. In the Premier with Liverpool this year the start has not gone as well as expected no?
- Well, no, no. We're going through difficult times but I have confidence on the team to react and that in january things change and the team ends up where it should be which is in the higher part of the table and that things once again return to the way they were before and the team recovers little by little.
I have to ask you about two things. The first has to do with your future, there's been a lot of talk about you not being completely happy at Liverpool and you are looking for an exit or that you would like to leave the English club, is there any truth to this?
- No, i'm not looking for anything, quite the contrary! What i looked for this past May, was to renew with Liverpool because im very happy. I think i've signed a very good contract for the remainder of this and the next five years and then, logically, what every professional wants is to win, wants to be competitive and play for a competitive team. And well, hopefully the team will once again become that and that I stay there for many more years.
And the other question: I know you live in England but i imagine that all the information out of Spain reaches you. I don't know if you've learned of the words exchanged between Preciado and Mourinho. Mourinho accusses Preciado of gifting Barcelona a win at the Camp Nou or at least not putting his first team on the pitch for that match. Preciado answered back and called him "a villain" and a bad colleague. How is all of this perceived from afar?
- To be honest with a lot of indifference because we have enough on our plates to be paying attention to other stuff! I think these are things that are a part of football that make it bigger than it is and gives it a little more nerve or fun and spice and without it I don't think the press or the fans could live without.
Well Yes, and taking into account that you are in England and playing in the Premier why would you worry about what goes on here but dont worry that we'll make sure we get enough out of it! Pepe Reina, always a pleasure talking with you, thank you very much!Cheers!
- Very well, cheers to you all, thank you.
from now on I will skip talking about our finances. That is a promise and will save myself from looking like a 
It's embarassing for us really.
I'm sure they can't all be well spoken either, some of them must be brain dead. That Guti doesn't look the sharpest tool in the box.
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