Regarding his personality:
"If people got to know me they'd change their mind. I'm shy, and I'm always a bit ashamed when I do interviews. I'm in my world, as you might say, because that way I do the things I like and don't offend anyone".

Origins:
"In Brazil all fathers dream that their kids become footballers. My family love football and my dad called me Diego because of Maradona. My dad worked a lot in order to give me everything I needed. We lived well because of him. Now my father's dream has come true. And mine, which was to give them a better life. I learnt football on the street, where you have to be on the ball or you get hit. I couldn't play in a different team to my brother because if we did, we'd just be fighting all the time. I couldn't lose, I couldn't control myself, if they messed with me... In life you learn these things. I did bad things and later on I felt bad. I improved as a person daily".

On his arrival in Europe:
"When the chance to go to Portugal arose, my father was scared because there are lots of agents who bring young footballers and then just abandon them. Then he saw my contract was legal and calmed down. At the start it was hard to change to a different lifestyle. But all I thought about was giving my family a better life, fighting and battling. If I weren't to have made it, I'd have had a clear conscience. In life you have to fight and scrap everyday to try and get better".

Cruciate injury:
"I had an offer from Turkey. It was up to me. I went to train and got injured. A message from God. I believe in God. If this happened to me it was for a reason. So I started to battle again from the bottom".

Simeone didn't see him as a starter:
"He was very straight with me. You have to be this way in life. Simeone is a fair man. My life was always fighting and battling. It's something I have inside, I can't change it. When I put my mind to something I don't let it escape me".

Goal in the cup final:
"It's the most important goal I've ever scored. Goals in finals are always important, and more so when you win after such a long time, then the title... It's a great memory".

Bad boy reputation:
"I don't like cocky referees... This kills me. If they talk to me well, I try to make their life easy. In high-tension games there is always competition and rivalry. Sometimes we can't control ourselves".

Spain or Brazil:
"I never imagined it. When I realised there was interest from Spain I started to imagine things, and thought 'why not?'. It is a privilege that the world champions want you to play for them, especially given the quality of players they have. I felt very important. I value it a lot. Vicente del Bosque showed me the person that he is. I like to talk with people face-to-face, I feel the truth and lies, and Vicente was very clear. He didn't promise me anything. I don't like it when people promise me things, I like to earn it... This I value".

Brazil's attempts to convince him:
"Dani Alves never tried to convince me. Not him, not anyone in Brazil. The call up by Brazil was a dream, it was a unique moment. Scolari called me up because he thought I was a useful player, not to stop me playing for Spain".
Brazilian fans:
"People will enjoy the stadiums that the games will be held in. I don't think anyone will do harm to my family. We are a passionate people, Brazilians, but a lot will also support Spain".

Sergio Ramos:
"I get on with him, we are the same type of person. We fight, we battle, and when the final whistle goes, that's that. I'm looking forward to putting on the Spain shirt and giving my all for it. When I do so I will think in my family and everyone who has supported me. Everything I have is through hard work and fighting, and if I have it it's because I deserve it".