19. Julio Baptista

Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas to you too and to all Madridistas...

You seem happy and relaxed...
I am. I'm very happy with how things are turning out for me at Real Madrid. I have no qualms. I didn't have them when I didn't play and only worked hard, so I'm not going to have them now either. I feel very well.

What did your family say to you when you arrived at home?
Well, my mother, my girlfriend and the rest of my family are all very happy for me. I'm spending Christmas at Sao Paulo and I'm going to rest and enjoy this moment. It is time to disconnect and recover because I am due back to train on 31 December.

Do you know your goal at Camp Nou made Real Madrid Winter Champions?
The important thing is to be leaders the last day of the competition. That's all that counts. My goal wasn't the only important thing during the match in Barcelona; the entire team's work was vital. We must keep fighting hard in each game because our goal is to lead in the three competitions we play in. It is symbolic to be Winter Champions in the League, but there are many games still ahead. We must remain calm because we still haven't won anything.

You shouldn't be so modest. You scored a great goal.
It was a great match; I said this after it was over. I also said it was one of the most beautiful strikes I've ever scored. I scored another beautiful goal in the past at Camp Nou; I've always done well at that stadium.

When was that?
In May 2004 during a friendly between Brazil and Cataluña. We won 5-2 and I scored two goals, but the first was beautiful because I netted it with a bicycle-kick. Ronaldo also scored two strikes.


Have you set yourself a personal goal this year?
My goal is to work as hard as possible each day, just as I have been doing so far. I promise to score more goals and to continue playing this well.

You've become an essential player for Schuster, but you started the season on the bench.
Well, the coach always decides and it seems it is my moment now. I fought very hard for this since the preseason started, wanting a chance to prove I am important for this team. I'm not going to waste it now that I have it.