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I've been around some very famous people, but no one has the effect Maradona has; people tremble in his presence.

I am Maradona, who makes goals, who makes mistakes. I can take it all, I have shoulders big enough to fight with everybody.

We all know the personal relationship between Michel Platini and President Blatter. It was like a mentor and protege, or even father and son.

I knew Manuel Pellegrini from my time in Spain. I'd only heard good things about him, that he was someone who instilled the confidence in his players to go out and play good, attacking football.

The myth about me as a footballer has grown: I am now the lost Maradona of Norway.

I have never believed in comparisons, whether they are about different eras, players or coaches.

As a boy, I wanted to be the Peruvian Diego Maradona. Sadly, Peru hasn't made the World Cup since 1982, so I guess I did well to choose something different.

There are good players, there are great players, and there are those few at the pinnacle - the Peles, Cruyffs and Maradonas.

There are other players who were more talented, but there is no one who could out-prepare me.

The biggest difference is in the leadership. It was better for us. We had more coaches and mentors to help us. A lot of the younger players today suffer from a lack of direction.