When I was talking with Shanghai, I was talking to big clubs from Europe, as well. There was Atletico Madrid, who I almost joined. I liked them very much and what they were offering me at the time. There was also Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan. I had some options.

I have always worn the No.10 shirt when I played at lower levels and, obviously, my reference point was always Pele and then Ronaldinho.

It was just great to wear the Brazil shirt in the senior team for the first time. I'd already worn it before playing for various age groups in the youth teams but it's very different playing for the Brazilian first team.

Playing for Chelsea doesn't compare to the pressure of playing for Brazil because we've won the World Cup five times. It's not only a massive country but football is part of the culture. They always want you to win, so you can never have an off-day.

In the Premier League, they don't give a foul even when it is a foul. We can't dive or pretend things.

I chose Chelsea because I always wanted to play in Europe for one of the biggest clubs. And I'm glad I did.

The best players in the world play in Europe so that's where you want to go when you play in Brazil.

When my agent told me that Chelsea were interested it was not something I even needed to think about.

I played in a city in Brazil where there are only two big clubs and Internacional versus Gremio was unbelievable - the pressure, the team atmosphere and everybody flying on the adrenalin.

Didier is a Chelsea legend and a senior player. I am happy for him to take the 11 and for me to take the 8.

Before every game I pray, I find solace. It helps me to relax and prepare.

I used to watch English football on TV when I was younger in Brazil. I already knew it was a dynamic, competitive and fast way of playing. When I got here, I just confirmed all of that.

David Luiz is also a great player. More than anything he's a great guy off the pitch too.

Every football player, or every person who works, wants to earn money to help their families.

I have learned from past experience with Internacional that you have to take one game at a time.

It is good for football that the game grows in new areas of the world.

Here in England, you do need to be firmer, harder on the pitch. That's just the way it is.

Felipao is one of the best coaches in the world.

A month before signing for Chelsea I was very close to doing so with Real Madrid as Mourinho said he wanted me.

I came from a social background in Brazil that is very poor. We didn't have anything.

I would like to clarify that Diego and I are very, very good friends we spend a lot of time together on and off the pitch and our families are great friends. We have absolutely no issues whatsoever.

Of course I support Chelsea.

If people want to say I seem too nice to be a footballer, that's good. It's just the way I am.

I think the Chinese clubs put up a lot of money for the players who go to China, to make the Chinese league stronger.

My father loved to play the game, he never became a professional but when he was younger everyone would say he was good enough and when I heard people talking about him, I wanted to emulate him. So I started to play.

Sometimes I've ended up not playing the entire match, but I'm doing my best to fulfil my role.

I have always wanted to play in the Champions League and who wouldn't want to play for the European champions?

The long-distance ones are the most common goals I have scored.

Religion is an important part of life and culture in Brazil, very important to us as Brazilians.

All Brazilian players have this dream. I have, like everybody, the dream to play in Europe and the Premier League.

It's always easier to play with players who are not only great but also intelligent.

I love Chelsea and I want to stay here for a long time.

I think the Brazilian people are very fond of Neymar for the fact that he stayed at Santos for so long and stayed in Brazil. That's very cool for him.

4-3-3 is better for me because I can score more goals, and also create more and tackle in midfield which I like to do to help the team.

It's been a very successful time for me here at Chelsea.

The Premier League is always difficult - Champions League or not.

They have different styles. Scolari is used to coaching national teams and Mourinho clubs. Both are very successful. They are professionals as well as winners.

To win an Olympic gold would be very special for me.

I am confident in my ability.

Everyone has got to figure out the things he wants most. And I believe coming to China is the best choice for me.

Didier talks to all of us. Not just with me, but with all the attacking players. He has scored so many goals for Chelsea. But now he pushes the younger players. He is fantastic. A fantastic player, and a fantastic person.

Whatever decision I make, somebody will talk good or bad about it, you know?

I can't stop, I always have to try and keep a good pace and that's what I'll do.

I understand the importance of this number to Chelsea. In Brazil, it is the number 10, but here the 11 is a very important number and I just hope that I can do it justice.

A lot of people told me not to come to the Premier League because of the physical demands, especially if I came straight from Brazil to England. But it's not been like that.

I am one of the pioneers, along with those players who went before me, and I'm coming to China to help the league and help more players get to know this league.

In Brazil, young boys dream of playing in the Champions League and I'm very proud to have realized my dream.

I arrived at the age of 19, 20 and remained five years at Chelsea.

I have changed my behaviour on the pitch in England. Here referees talk to the players all the time. I think it is nice.

It's not my style of play to mark players and stop them, or be threatening. But I am learning that at Chelsea.