Speaking in an interview with uefa.com, Real Madrid left-back discussed Serie A side Atalanta ahead of the club’s Champions League last 16 clash this week, Zinedine Zidane and almost having his leg amputated.
On Atalanta
We’ll have to be careful. They haven’t come here just for the sake of it. We know that they are a side that play well and score a lot of goals. It will be difficult but I’m sure it will be a great game. We will have to play to our best to have a chance of winning.
On Zinedine Zidane
He’s a legend and to be honest, it’s an honour to be coached by him. He exudes charisma. It’s always a pleasure to chat with him, we have spoken about the French national team. He has given me advice and I like to give my best in every game.
On a career-threatening injury
I went through a difficult moment, but I managed to come out of it. I spent seven years at PSG, I started in the Under-11s but I got injured just before entering the academy. I had arthritis in my hip and I had an infection, so I needed an operation and I was in hospital recovering for a long time. I spent two or three months in a plaster cast. After the operation, the doctor came to see me and told me that I wouldn’t play football ever again. He even said I might need to have my leg amputated. I was in a wheelchair for quite a while, then on crutches, and after that, I had to learn how to walk again.
