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The Lakers had been home to me, unlike the home I had grown up and felt apart from.

At 21, Real Madrid or Barcelona would have been more difficult for me. If I play well enough at Chelsea, I could win my place in the starting team, and my priority is to play.

When I was younger, I just thought about playing in the NBA.

At times like that it's difficult to remember what's at stake, that history is in the making. As a player you feel so cut off sometimes, it can be tough... Which is why it is an enormous advantage to play at home.

I turned 24 in the middle of my first World Cup and it was quite an unbelievable experience. It's really hard for words to do it justice.

Like so many of the players, I started at La Masia at the age of 11. I can't ever imagine not playing for Barcelona, let alone not playing soccer for a career. I don't ever want to play anywhere else.

I embrace old age. Look, I'm never going to dunk on LeBron James, and I've learned to accept that. I got a pretty good life, and I'm very fortunate, and I have my blessings.

I didn't feel that I really fit in anywhere. So when I was young I always had to prove myself through my sporting ability.

The first time I stepped on an NBA court I became a businessman.