If the "ghost goal" happens today, what does goal line technology say?!
Show this interview to José; he should read it (laughing). It's been 20 years now and it's time to tell the truth. On that day, the "ghost goal" played into the hands not only of me and Liverpool, but of football as a whole. Thanks to it, we made it to the Champions League final, where the "Miracle of Istanbul" happened - the most legendary match in the history of the tournament.
We can argue for another 20 years about the legitimacy of my goal, but no one except me can tell you for sure what really happened. I had a front-row ticket with the best view of the incident. I said it then, and I'll say it again: "Guys, it's a goal!" Watch the replay! I didn't even hesitate and immediately ran to celebrate. In moments like that, you're always honest with yourself and cannot fake your emotions.
When you played at Barcelona alongside Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, could you always see they were destined to become two of the best players in history?
When I played for FC Barcelona in the 2003-04 season, Iniesta was only 20 and Xavi was 24, but their thinking and understanding of football were already fantastic. Their movements, vision of the pitch and passing culture made Barça the strongest team for decades and also brought the Spain national team the World Cup and European Championship titles.
Looking back, I realise that Xavi and Iniesta have La Masia DNA. But I'm not sure that it can be developed effectively - it's more a story of innate talent. At the same time, they were always professionals on and off the pitch. Nothing could distract them - just complete concentration on the game and the desire to win every match.
If you had to pick one player to play alongside at Liverpool: Luis Suárez or Mohamed Salah, and why?
I'm willing to give Mo a standing ovation for what he did last season. Salah gave incredible performances that will be talked about for years to come. He has forever inscribed his name in the Liverpool Hall of Fame and earned his place alongside Ian Rush, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler.
But I would still choose Luis Suárez. He is an exceptional footballer who can do absolutely everything on the pitch. Dribbling, speed, technique, finishing: does this guy even have any weaknesses?
I'm very sorry that El Pistolero left Liverpool before Jürgen Klopp arrived. If they had met at Anfield, we would have seen one of the strongest teams in the history of the Premier League and European football.
What was Rafa Benítez truly like to work with? Some say he was cold with players, others say he was a very good coach...
Rafa is a unique person and coach. A true professional. I'll never forget how, during one of the training sessions, someone asked him, "Boss, do you ever smile?" Without hesitation, he replied, "Yes, when you are positioned correctly on the pitch and hold your positions."
Benítez constantly studied his opponents. Whether we were playing against Chelsea, Manchester United or Norwich City, I knew absolutely everything about our opponents. Not only their weaknesses on the pitch, but also what they had for breakfast and what socks they wore at home.
Of course, I'm being ironic, but I want to emphasise that it was a very thorough analysis, down to the smallest detail. I had never seen anything like it in my career, neither before meeting Benítez nor after we parted ways.
Which of your former clubs has a better chance of winning the Champions League this year, Liverpool or Barcelona?
The way Liverpool beat Real Madrid was top-class. Pressure, intensity and passion in every moment. I think Anfield's reaction to this victory clearly shows respect for the work of Arne Slot and his men. But it's still a very raw team. There are a lot of newcomers, and the Reds lack stability. It seems to me they still haven't gotten over the fact that Trent Alexander-Arnold is no longer on the pitch.
Barcelona performed brilliantly last season and, despite losing to Paris Saint-Germain and drawing with Club Brugge, they are playing more thoughtful football. When all the leaders have fully recovered from their injuries, Barça will become even stronger. Therefore, I'd say that the Blaugranas have a better chance this season.
But last season's Champions League showed that it's possible to completely fail in the league phase and then destroy everyone in the knockout phase - tested and proven by Paris Saint-Germain. As we know, it's always difficult to predict the future and anything can happen in the title race.
What was Luis Enrique like to play under as a captain? Were there clues he would go into management... and win two trebles?
His football career reminds me a lot of Pep Guardiola's path - a great player who became one of the most successful coaches of our time. Luis Enrique really has all the qualities needed to work at the highest level.
Just look at his portfolio - he has been successful everywhere he has worked, from Roma and Celta to the Spain national team and Barcelona. At Paris Saint-Germain, he has managed to be flexible and slightly change his style of football. You may say what you like, but what the Parisians play today certainly cannot be called classic Catalan tiki-taka. Intensity, pressing and focus on the goal make this team special.
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Luis García's "ghost goal" was the only strike in a two-legged semi-final between Rafa Benítez's Liverpool side and José Mourinho's Chelsea in the 2005 Champions League. Had the ball not have been adjudged to have crossed the line, however, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech may have been sent off...
