Javi Garcia Speaks.

Javier Garcia gave his first interview to "A Bola". In the interview he answers questions about his move, Balboa, Saviola, JJ, and his quest to be happy again.
the whole thing translated after the jump.

"I arrived at the Right Time"

AB-What were your impressions of these first days of your new Club? I bet everything has been very fast.

JG-Very impressed, I spoke quite a bit with Saviola before coming, and he told me that all of this was impressive and i was truly impressed. The stadium, the training facilities they are top notch, incredible quality. The squad is composed of a lot of quality, young and hungry for titles, just like me.
I already knew some players, besides Saviola and Aimar, Luisao and Nuno Gomes, who had a tremendous gesture towards me, by showing me around and making sure he said hello to my family. I also knew DiMaria from the U20 WC in 07. There were other players that surprised me such as Maxi, Shaffer and Fabio Coentrao.

AB-Were your friends and family surprised for your choice to come to Benfica rather than staying at Real?

JG-My Family knew, my friends not so much. Maybe a lot of people were surprised to see me trade Portugal for Spain, but i wanted a change of scenery.

AB-How much time did you have to think?

JG-It was all very fast, and i didn't want to extend it a lot. But i thought about it a few times.

AB-Was it difficult to leave Real Madrid?

JG-No, I owe a lot to Real, but for me it's already the past. I only think about Benfica now.

AB-Real sold you to Osasuna in 07, and then bought you back. Do you admit that's not to natural?

JG-Yeah, I don't know(laughs). I had a good season at Osasuna, and Real decided to buy me back.

AB-What if Real did the same thing with Benfica?

JG-At this time, i'm only thinking of having good seasons at Benfica and please everyone who has put their trust on me. Nothing else.

AB-Did you have other offers from Spanish teams?

JG-Some teams did contact me, but i needed a change of scenery, i wanted to leave Spain, get to know the world, and I thought Benfica was ideal for me.

AB-You're from Murcia, same area as Camacho. Did you speak to him before coming?

JG-I know him, but i did not speak to him. But you can be sure that Benfica gained popularity in Murcia from Camacho.

AB-Would you like to play in Portugal for a lot of years?

JG-Yes. The truth is that i am very impressed with all that's happened to me in the past 48 hours. I can't get tired of saying that i have never been so excited in my career.

AB-Jorge Jesus praised your tactical discipline, stating that you can play in the "6" slot, the "8" slot, or even as a central defender. What is your favorite position?

JG-I have always played as a central midfielder. I'm indifferent whether i play more forward or more back in that area, but i like to play by myself in front of the defenders. The current tactical system suits me.

AB-Benfica is only going to play with a defensive mid, Do you think you can assume that role?

JG-I'm here for that. I feel liked by all, and i'm going to show that my acquisition wasn't a mistake and that you'll have a player for the future.

AB-What are your main qualities?

JG-I'll answer that on the field.

AB-In Spain, many fans say that Javi Garcia has very little value and were surprised by the fact that Benfica signed you. What do you think about that?

JG-(Loses his permanent smile). I don't pay too much attention, because in all honesty, i didn't have many chances to show myself. I'm indiferent to what people say. I know my worth, and now i'm at Benfica to show that worth. I'm not at Real Madrid.

AB-What did you think of Jorge Jesus?

JG-I was pleased. He talks with us a lot and he is always correcting us. He spoke the same way to the players that played and the ones that didn't. In a squad, it's very important to have all of the players motivated. My first impression was very good.

AB-Real Madrid has a bigger fan base than Barcelona, but they haven't won. The same thing happens with Benfica and Porto. Do you think your new team can beat Porto?

JG-It's complicated, but be aware that we are Benfica, a great club. We are working to win titles. We want to win the league, because i already know that's something the fan base has been craving for. I made the best decision and now is the right time for all of us to win. We have a team to win titles, being the league or going far in the Europa league.

AB-You know Balboa well. Why do you think he failed at Benfica?

JG-For me, he is an excellent player, very quick. I was surprised, and i think it's strange, but i am not aware of the reasons.

AB-Do you believe in Saviola at the top of his game?

JG-I always say this, In any team, Saviola always scores goal, in all of them. When he was young at River, he scored goals, when he arrived at Barca he scored goals, in Seville, everywhere. I'm very sure he will score a lot of goals at Benfica and that he will be called to the National team for the WC.

AB-I am noticing a good amount of excitement on your part. You look like you need to be happy again. Is that an accurate interpretation?

JG-In all honesty, I haven't felt so valued and loved by people around me in a long time. In Madrid it's different, people are different and value different things. I had the need to feel happy and valued. I think I can do it at Benfica.

# Photo Via - www.slbenfica.pt