Vázquez: I enjoy watching Barcelona play but I hope Real Madrid win the championship. Zidane wants me to play right back

Vazquez was interviewed and talked about the process of his decision to leave Real Madrid, the change of position, the national team career, the key penalty kick in Milan's Champions League final, and his views on controversial topics such as referees and the "Negrera case".

When did you know you wouldn’t stay on the team?

This idea has been in my mind since about January. This is my own feeling. I didn't want to leave, but it was the right time to leave. Everybody has that moment when you say, 'I guess the best thing is for me to leave.'

I didn’t talk to Xabi Alonso about going to Leverkusen. Then I had a meeting with José Ángel and he told me about it very naturally. I was very calm and my thoughts were clear. The way the club treated me was exemplary.

How does it feel to play at right back?

This is understandable from all angles. I think it's good that Valverde expressed his feelings; and he has always shown that he can perform well no matter where the team needs him to play. I didn't complain, but when Zidane first put me in that position, I told him I didn't like it, but he told me I could do it very well.

Do you think your national team career is unfair?

My career with the Spanish national team and my career with Real Madrid are different. I did everything I could to get selected, but other people made the decision and there was nothing I could do about it. This is part of football.

Why did you take the first penalty kick in the Milan final?

I ended the game with confidence, and I said I was confident that I would make the free throw. In a game like this, it depends on how everyone feels, and I walked up to Zidane and told him I wanted to take the penalty. They arranged the order. It took me a few days to realize the significance of this.

Controversy about refereeing:

The refereeing style in Germany is different. In Spain, referees are more tolerant before issuing a yellow card. Some incredible things have happened, and refereeing is a difficult topic in itself, but what has happened is worth talking about.

Everything about the Negreira case is so difficult to explain that it’s simply unbelievable. We were aware of everything at the time and we discussed it in the dressing room. The video produced by Real Madrid TV may affect the referees because they are human beings and they also have families.

What do you think of Barcelona now?

Barcelona has a very good lineup and it is a pleasure to watch them play... This will be a very difficult league and I hope Real Madrid can win the championship.

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