He is the type that likes to observe things. He seems to keep a close eye on every small detail. His answers are very resolute: “I hope I can bring more titles to this Club. Playing in Real Madrid means something more.” Owen, sitting at the Club Trophy Exhibition Hall, reveals his feelings in an interview for Realmadrid.com and Realmadrid TV. With the European Cups in the background, he states: “It is very exciting for me to be part of this machine”. There are some challenges he has set himself: “I only know that I have to perform to my best because there are some very special players here and this is about winning titles”. He also remarks: “I have always had a dream: to play in Real Madrid. Now I would like to be playing here for many years to come

Owen, welcome to Real Madrid.
-Thanks a lot. It is an honour for me to be here. I arrived on Friday and now I have to go back to England to play with my national team, but I am looking forward to next Thursday so that I can start training with my new team-mates.

You have already had the chance to see the Trophy Exhibition at Bernabéu, what do you think?
-I think it is fantastic. We did not have that many trophies in Liverpool. There are four Europe Cups there, but I think nine is just an unbelievable number. I only wish we can win Champions this year.

What does it mean to you to have signed for this Club?
-Everybody knows what Real Madrid means and all the footballers would like to be in its ranks. I have been playing as a professional since I was 17 in Liverpool and now that I am 24 I am in a different phase of my life, it is a phase to set myself new goals. The truth is I am very excited about this new objective I have just ahead of me.

How would you explain your transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid?
-It is a step forward to me. To play in Real is something more. I hope this change will take me a bit further ahead in my career. I would like to show my best football in the years to come. This is the only thing I would like to prove because once you are part of this team, you can’t possibly get any further.

How would you define yourself as a footballer?
-Owen’s main feature is his condition as a goal scorer. I play in the forward position and that’s is precisely my job, and even more so with the players of this team. I just want to have a good understanding with them as soon as possible, as well as getting to know the type of football played in Spain. I expect they also benefit from my play. I would like to have a chance to show what I can do.

Raúl, Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, Roberto Carlos… What teammates in the locker room!
-The best players in the world are here and that’s really exciting. I would like to progress as a player and as a person. I hope I can contribute something. I am looking forward to play in this unbelievable stadium in front of such wonderful fans. Coming from such a famous team as Liverpool to an even more widely-known team. I have been growing as a player since I was 17, but I see I still can give more of myself. Real Madrid can help me to do so and I am sure I will keep on growing as a player. This is a fantastic team to do so and I just hope I will win lots of titles.

Are you aware that this team is demanded to win titles year after year?
-That does not happen every day. I mean having the opportunity to play with the footballers in Real. This is one of the best assets of this Club. This is the best team of the world and it counts with the best players. That’s why I am enormously proud of having the chance to defend the white shirt. I honestly wish to get all the success with Real, learn new things, give my contribution…. I hope all that becomes a reality and I can bring more titles to this club.

Raúl, Ronaldo and Morientes are the current forwards that you will have to fight for a position in the lineup.
-They are all amazing players. They have been playing here for a long time and I understand that fans admire them a lot, but I think we must do our best to carry on winning titles. I know they are the best in the world and I will have to play my best so that I can keep up to them.

Have you noticed that these days you are the centre of attention?
-I expect I will be a centre of attention for the whole team because I would like everybody to notice me in my first months here. I only know I must ply my best. This is what has always been happening in Real because there are some very special players here, so that’s why I am saying I am very excited to be part of this machine. I hope this dream will come true, my name will get very far and fans will admire me.

-McManaman has played here and Beckham is playing now, have you asked them anything about it?
-I spoke to both of them in the past. They already know what it is like to play in Real. I have only been here for a little while, as we spent ten days negotiation the transfer. The whole thing has been very quick for me. I asked McManaman many questions because I have always had a dream: to play in Real Madrid. Now I am here physically and I expect to keep asking both of them many questions.

What do you think about Santiago Bernabéu?
-It is a fantastic stadium with a big capacity. I already knew it because I watched a match here and I can say it is a privilege to play in it. I wish I can do it for many years to come.

Ronaldo predicts the number of goals he’s going to score at the beginning of every season, how many of them does Owen promise to score?
-That’s very hard to answer. I only hope to play well, make the most of every chance, play as a team, do good training… I can’t tell an exact number, but I would be happy if I could achieve the average I used to get in my Liverpool seasons. I will try to show all my strength, energy and speed to score the most goals I can.

By the way, which is your first impression of Spain?
-This is very different from England. It has been very hot over the past few days, but my first impression is that I like Madrid a lot. People are very nice, they have welcomed me. I feel very fortunate. The medical examination went fantastically and I can’t complain at all. Starting Thursday, I will be working hard to play my best. I am honestly looking forward to the beginning of it.

-Now that we are in front of the trophy cabinet with all the Europe Cups at sight, shall we meet here again for another interview at the end of the season, after having won the Champions, the Liga…?
-Sure, it’s a great idea. The Tenth would do.

Report: Javier J. Tamames and Javier Palomino