Michael Owen talks exclusively to Nuts about life in Madrid, England...and how the Spanish is coming on

First things first; how much a relief was it to get your first goal for Real Madrid last week?

Huge. I think the first one is usually the hardest to get because it's a mental thing more than a football thing. Hopefully they won't stop coming now.

How handy has it been having David Beckham to help you settle in over there?

It's been nice to have a friend already here, of course, but all the Madrid lads have been fantastic to me. I thought at first the language barrier might be a problem, but I've found more and that not can speak English, which is obviously nice.

How is the Spanish coming along?

[laughs] Slowly but surely. I try to have two lessons a week depending on the match timetable. Obviously, you pick up words on the training ground and in matches.

It's been rumoured that Beckham has pies shipped over to Spain from the UK. Is there anything you have imported over?

There are things I miss of course, but I can't actually think of anything I have imported over. I was going to have my snooker table imported over but it is a bit on the big side so I just bought another one.

Really? So what is your maximum break then?

[laughs] Nothing worth boasting about....

You've not been the only English recruit Madrid has bought this year - How's Woodgate getting on?

Obviously Woody has had a bad time with injuries, but he is settling in well. I think he's probably one of the best central defenders in the world when he's fully fit, and he's going to make a big name for himself in Spain. I expect him to become an England regular for years.

Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo - what's it really like to train and play with this sort of talent?

It's a dream. Its an old cliché but playing with better players makes you a better player. I think that those you just mentioned, plus others, are not only some of the best players now, but of all time. They've won the lot - World Cups, European Championships and the Champions league.

Have you been invited to any of Ronaldo's infamous house parties yet?

I think they're hyped up by the press a bit - he doesn't hold them every week like it's made out. They'll only happen when matches aren't going on. They're supposed to be very impressive though - I know he has had a room in his house made into a nightclub.

What is the general opinion of Rafael Benitez in Spain?

I think he is a very well respected manager. He's obviously achieved a lot over here, winning the league and getting to  European Cup finals. He's a class manager without a doubt.

Do you think he can do the business at Liverpool?

I think he can achieve great things there without a doubt. Liverpool is a club with a winning tradition. They have fantastic players there as well a fantastic group of fans and back-room staff. The club should be challenging for the highest honours, and I am sure under Benitez they will.

So, how would you feel about the possibility of playing Liverpool?

I spent many happy years there and I will go back there as a fan - they're my boyhood team. I'm sure the fans would make me welcome if I were to go back there as a Real Madrid player, and I would show them the respect they deserve. It would feel strange being in the away dressing room at Anfield though.

Would you ever return to the Premiership?

I can't see into the future and, in football, I think it is impossible to rule anything out. But I won't be returning for a few years yet. I am very, very happy playing for Real Madrid.

Ronaldinho recently told Nuts that he thinks Rooney could become the best player in the world. What's it like playing for England with Wayne?

I can agree with that - he's a fantastic player at only 18 years old. He just doesn't seem to care who he plays against for club or country - he knows how good he is and just gets on with it. He had a fantastic European Championship for us and he will many more tournaments for England to come.

So what targets have you set yourself for the season ahead?

No specific targets - just to play as well as I cam for Madrid and England and, hopefully, walk away with some silverware at the end of the season.

Owen on Arsenal

"Arsenal are fantastic in every area of the pitch. They play like the team has been together for such a long time, even though there are a few new additions to the squad. To go unbeaten for that length of time is amazing, and they don't look like giving it up yet.

"I think it's pretty hard not to see Henry as one of the best players in the world at the moment. He seems to have no fear and a perfect all-round game - I saw his back-heel against Charlton on TV and I couldn't believe it! Only a player playing with a certain type of confidence will try things like that."