Q. You weren't fully fit towards the end of last season. Did you push too hard to play the final in Lisbon and the World Cup.

A. I obviously did. I wasn't fully fit and I pushed it, but it went well for me at club-level. Things were more complicated with Portugal. Things can't always turn out ok. I've learned from what happened with my injury, but I don't regret doing it because I got to play for Real Madrid- who pay me and give me everything- and Portugal, which is my homeland.

Q. How was 2014? Was it your best year to date?

A. Maybe. In terms of individual and team honours but if you look at the last six or seven years, I've played at more or less the same level. I'm obviously thrilled because this year I had the most individual and team success, it was a dream year.

Q. Ancelotti says you have a better team than last season. Is that true?

A. We'll see at the end of this campaign whether this Real Madrid team is better or worse than last season's. Youcan buy the top 40 players in the world and still not have a great team. I'm not saying that the players Real Madrid have bought aren't world-class, but you can't take stock until the end of the season.

Q. Is the relationship between Ancelotti and his players as good as it appears?

A. It's perfect. The gaffer is doing an outstanding job, he's a great guy, a great coach and we're all doing very well with him.