In an exclusive interview with Guillem Balague for Sky Sports Revista de la Liga, Valencia midfielder Ever Banega talks about settling down at Valencia, how close he came to moving to the Premier League and gives us his verdict on the Messi v Ronaldo debate...

Guillem:      Tell us how you the season`s going; not much was expected of you, but you`ve surprised everybody...

Banega:      I`m very happy with our level of performances and on a personal level I`m very comfortable. I`ve progressed so much more than I thought I would and it`s all down to a change of lifestyle and getting used to a different type of football.

Guillem:      At one point you came close to signing for Everton; what happened there?

Banega:      Yes it was discussed; but in the end, Valencia didn`t want me to leave. But anyway, here I am, enjoying myself and I hope that`s the case for many years to come.

Guillem:      A great many players I`ve interviewed over the years frequently talk about a defining moment in their career when there is a sudden realisation that of what they must do and what lies ahead in order to get the most out of playing football. Did you experience that last summer? Did you suddenly think `I really need to wake up?`

Banega:      Yes, for sure. Now I always say that I lost a year and a half of my career and it dawned on me what I have and that I could not allow this opportunity to pass me by. I couldn`t allow what was happening to me to keep happening.  A football career is very short and this is an excellent opportunity for me.

Guillem:      It`s also helped that the team needed a transitional midfielder such as yourself; with the defence and attack improved, everything has come together to help you back on track...

Banega:      It`s been like that since pre-season when they made it very clear what they wanted from me and I`ve benefited from working with the coach; I started playing, held down a place in the side and with every game, every training session, I`m getting to know my team mates better.

Guillem:      Unai Emery is a young coach who has improved this team and really helped players such as yourself; doesn`t it surprise you that he hasn`t been offered a new contract and that there are doubts over his future?

Banega:      For sure; He`s helped me an awful lot. He`s always thinking about what`s best for the team, but it looks like there won`t be a new contract. He`s worked hard for us, just as we are always working hard for him, to win games and keep up a winning run that will keep up at the top end of the table.

Guillem:      What has he asked of you?

Banega:      To stay relaxed, to always play as he has asked and to keep my head when it comes down to picking up cards and things like that. We`re learning from him, every day I`m learning a bit more. I try and take a bit of something from every coach I`ve ever had throughout my career.

Guillem:      One of the keys to this season has been the form of Cesar, who has been rejuvenated at 38 years of age after his career appeared to over at Tottenham; he`s able to see the game differently to the rest of you maybe?

Banega:      Cesar is doing a very good job for us in the team and, despite his age, he is one of the best keepers I have ever played alongside. We`ve got to make the most of him and keep getting the best out of him.

Guillem:      Valencia are going to be a very different side next season; they are talking about needing just over €40 million to keep going at this level; so some big players are going to have to leave. Let`s put you on the spot; you`ve got to decide who stays and who goes: starting with Villa...

Banega:      The fans love him here, and we love having him in the team; but I`m certain that if he has to leave, then that time has come because he`s at an age where they won`t be able to sell him much later.

Guillem:      Do you see him at a big team in Spain?

Banega:      Yes, I can see him at a big team...

Guillem:      Or a big English club? Because of the kind of person he is, can you imagine him playing in England?

Banega:      Yes, because of the kind of person David Villa is and because of the football he plays, he could adapt anywhere. But I see him more at a big team in Spain.

Guillem:      Let`s put him in Barcelona for a moment; he`d be competing with Ibrahimovic and Messi, or playing in one of the three forward positions they use...

Banega:      Sure, I could see him playing for Barcelona, alternating in any one of those positions; they`d get some very good things out of Villa.

Guillem:       Unai Emery says that it`s easier for Villa to succeed when he plays alongside Silva. Do you agree?

Banega:      With the magic that Silva brings to the team, with his unbelievable quality; it would be a lot harder for a striker without him...

Guillem:      I heard you say a few months back that Silva is at the same level as Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo; is that still the case?

Banega:      Yes, yes I did say that and he`s still demonstrating it: in every game in every training session. It`s a real joy for us to have him as a team mate and to be able to play alongside him.

Guillem:      He has the kind of talent that you have to be born with, it`s not something that can be taught or learned...

Banega:      Sure, he learned his trade in the second division and he knows what football is all about. And now, as a first division player, he`s showing what he can do: you don`t come across a player like him every day. And it`s very important for us to have him in the team.

Guillem:       Mata plays in a position, down the left hand side, where there are few top players. Do you think he has the quality to play at a one of the big clubs if he had the opportunity?

Banega:      Mata still just a lad, he`s still got a lot to learn, but he`s really improved in recent years and is a really important player for us. He`s a very creative attacking player who can really make a difference to a game.

Guillem:       In terms of the talent and competition for places; do you see yourself going to the World Cup?

Banega:      I hope so, I really hope I have that opportunity.  I`ve just got to keep putting in the same amount of hard work here at Valencia, with the same humility and respect, playing in every game possible, and performing at my best.

Guillem:      I`m not sure if you`ve noticed, but here in Spain there`s been a slight shift from thinking `we`re going to win the World Cup` – to looking at Messi lately and starting to have doubts; What`s your view of Messi ?

Banega:      The truth is, Messi just surprises you more and more every day. He`s fantastic and he loves being a part of Barcelona: part of a team that has been together for five years and that has won everything. There`s no other team that plays like that and with Lio in the team it makes it that much easier.

Guillem:      Why is it harder for him in the Argentine national team?

Banega:      Maybe it`s harder because Diego has a core of players, but it hasn`t worked in some games and it`s been getting changed around. But I think that Lionel is going to be a sensation at this World Cup.

Guillem:      After the game against Zaragoza, their players were asked `how do you stop Lionel Messi?` – and they all said that it`s impossible. Do you think that`s the case? Is Messi unstoppable?

Banega:      Absolutely. You can`t. He is unstoppable. He`s got so much power on his side. He`s a monster. Players have tried to get the better of him, but he always knows how to overcome that.

Guillem:      Say you defend against him by getting close, staying tight to him; what happens? He`ll still dribble past you...

Banega:      Whatever you do, it always ends up the same way.

Guillem:      And if you give him a metre, sand off him to see what he`s going to do?

Banega:      No, even worse, If you give him a metre then you`ve lost him, you won`t see him for dust.

Guillem:      And if you have help?

Banega:      One way or another, he`ll get way; you can pair up on him, but he`ll still get away from you.

Guillem:      Has Messi overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo, or any other player nowadays?

Banega:      I think he`s well ahead of Cristiano; Messi is on another level. 

Guillem:      And what about the great players in history; Pele or Maradona?

Banega:      I never saw those players live, only on video. They played in another era, football was different. Nowadays, you`re a lot more pressured, but Lio knows how to beat players, and he`s showing that he could be one of – or the best player- in history.

Guillem:      You`ve played for both Atletico Madrid and Valencia; the Spanish league suits you. Are you comfortable playing in La Liga?

Banega:      It was hard to adapt, but I feel very comfortable here and I love the style of football, as well as being comfortable with my team mates, which is very important out on the pitch.

Guillem:      Do you see yourself playing in a different league? In England for example: a very physical league at a much higher tempo that places very different demands on you?

Banega:      It of course it`s something I`ve thought about; it`s all down to how you handle things and the football that`s played; it`s fine if it all goes smoothly but of you struggle to adapt, it`s impossible. But I`m sure I`ll be here playing for Valencia for many years.

Guillem:      The league title this season is between Barcelona or Madrid; how do you see it?

Banega:      They`re both very strong teams fighting it out for the title; but for me Barcelona are ahead of Madrid ...

Guillem:      Why`s that?

Banega:      Because I like Barcelona`s football a lot more, I really like the way they play. Madrid are having a great season, with some very good players; but Barcelona play from memory.