How does it feel being interviewed by your nephew [laughs]?

It’s a bit strange doing an interview with you [laughs]. I am intrigued about the questions you are going to ask me

I know you since I was born; we have been raised like brothers. Did you ever think 10 years ago that you would be doing this kind of job as a career?

I never could have imagined doing this, but there is a belief that has stayed with me this very day. I find it funny that people pay me so much money to take photos of me. It’s a dream job when you are working and you have a lot of spare time for yourself and to visit my family and girlfriend.

Have you achieved your ambitions?

The modelling industry is very fake and full of surprises. Everyday, there is a new challenge and I never know what to expect the next day. The good thing about this is that I like challenges, I like living on the edge. London is the capital of fashion, it’s a competitive place - it’s where everything starts. I have worked with some of the biggest names in fashion. If you ask me if I have achieved my ambitions, I would have to say no… I always aim higher. If I want something, I just go for it and I don’t stop until it’s mine. I am very determined. When they put you down you need to get up ten times stronger than before. Up to now I have been very lucky and I believe in God, I feel him watching over me. But I also know that you have to look for luck, it just doesn’t come and find you. This dynamic world is full of obstacles, and has consolidated me as a person. By virtue or stupidity, I have chosen the ‘road less travelled’, even though it is not necessarily the easiest one. I believe that if you lose your morals, you lose everything. I have many people who believe in me, like my agent in America, Nurch Novinger, who treats me as a member of his own family. I am proud of all that I’ve achieved, and I achieved them honestly.

How did your meeting go with the most famous fashion photographer in the modelling business, Mario Testino?

He is a nice guy. We did a test shoot in his studio in London and he said he wanted to use me for one of his campaigns. I can only say that it didn’t work out between us, for reasons I prefer to keep to myself.

You have worked with many famous footballers and celebrities. Have they all been nice and down to earth?

I can honestly say that out of all the celebrities I have worked with, only one - a football player whose name I won’t mention - was arrogant. I don’t like people whose fame has gone to their heads. I really enjoyed working with Rafael Nadal on the NIKE PRO advert. He was very shy until I started to speak Spanish with him, when he opened up a bit. He is also a Real Madrid fan!

I know you did an advert with David Beckham. Is he a nice guy?

He is a really nice guy! I admire him as a person and also as a footballer. We were making some photos between us in set dong the Pepsi advert in Spain and suddenly Beckham arrives in a car. Joking as I always do I shout out “David my friend, come here and do some pictures with us” The next thing I know he comes running towards us and stands right beside me [laughs]! Suddenly the whole crew comes and surround us to make photographs!!! I felt really important that day.

Anyone in particular who you would like to work with?

Mmm… Not really. One of my dreams was to meet the Real Madrid players and I already did that.

I know you are a down to earth person. Can a profession change a person?

For me, a job is what you do, not what you are. My friends can testify that. I never forget my roots. I grew up in a traditional and humble family who always told me to be moral and treat other people well. The most important things for me are my family, my girlfriend, my friends and my team - everything else comes second.

Of course! El Real Madrid… [laughs]

Yes, Real Madrid. I am very passionate about my team. My girlfriend is a Real Madrid fan now… she is everything I ever wanted!!!!! She still likes Valencia but her heart is Madridista, I know it! If her father reads this, he’ll kill me! [laughs]

So you’re in love again?

I am in love for the first time in my life, I’d never been in love before, I never knew what love was until I met her. When you cannot get that person out of your mind - even when I am training – When you are prepared to leave everything for that girl- when you just want to be with her and nothing else is important, when you want to introduce that girl to the whole world and tell everyone how much you love her, when you know that life wouldn’t be the same without her smile every morning… That’s LOVE. I love my girlfriend so much!!! I want to tell the whole world!!!!!!!

I know how you met her. Why don’t you tell the world?

That’s a story for family and us. I can only say that it’s an amazing story the way we met. Destiny brought us together three times. It was written that we would be together forever.

Did you fall in love with her straight away? I remember when you talked to me about her for the first time…

I knew she was special from the very first time I talked to her. I was talking to her near a beach in Gibraltar, it was late in the night and suddenly, the lights of a car illuminated her amazing, beautiful green eyes (I will always remember that moment) and it was as if the world had frozen for two seconds,.. I swear!!. I stopped talking and I said, “madre de Dios”(mother of God). She looked at me and gave me the most beautiful smile and asked what was wrong. It was as if those beautiful green eyes she has hypnotised me. From that moment, I knew she had to be mine.

Love,.. Fame or Money?

Love! Without a doubt!

Do you still see yourself in the future with 8 kids?

Yes, I do! I can also put a face on the mother of my children!!! She has the most amazing, incredible green eyes.

Anything else you want to say to finish off our interview?

I want to say something to my girlfriend, Kelly Villalta I will always love you FORVER!!… Also would like to say to my parents that I love them and I will never let them down. Lastly I would like to say Real Madrid the best forever!!!

Interviewed by Giovanni Luigi Cerisola
June 2007