Flashscore caught up with Rodrigo Moreno after the press conference of his team, Al Rayyan, as part of our visit to the Qatar Stars League.
You went through Real Madrid's academy, then made your senior debut for Benfica, who are very well known for bringing up young talents. Why do you think they have been able to produce so many young, talented footballers?
"It was a great time, great generation. Andre Gomes was there, Joao Cancelo, Ivan Cavaleiro, Ederson, Jan Oblak... I think, for example, in Spain or Italy, you need to play more ready-made players for immediate results. Portugal is a different kind of market; they have the capacity to let the young players develop in the first team.
"Benfica works very well. From the time I was there, they invested a lot in the academy, the facilities, coaches, everything for the youth players. They know you can collect the results of that in the future."
You mentioned Andre Gomes, you two went together to Valencia later. And your transfer for 30 million euros was the club record at the time. How do you recall your stint in Valencia?
"It was a very nice, but also very difficult time. It's a very demanding team.
"We had good seasons, especially with Marcelino, who is now the coach of Villarreal, and Mateu Alemany. We had a very good squad, and we qualified for the Champions League three years in a row. We won the cup against big Barca of (Lionel) Messi, (Luis) Suarez, all of these big players.
"Those were special moments for me, not just professionally, but also personally, because my daughter was born in Valencia, it was the time when I joined the national team and represented Valencia at the World Cup in 2018...
"I remember those times with a special feeling. I always hope that Valencia are in the highest places in the league table."
Valencia isn't doing as well this season, third from the bottom in LaLiga... Many fans blame the controversial owner, Peter Lim. What did you think of him during your time at Mestalla?
"I can say that maybe the first season after he arrived there was okay, and then it started to deteriorate a lot. It's difficult to speak about his position now, because I haven't been there for five years now. But it's true, the situation is very different, maybe my generation of players was the last one that were fighting for big things and trophies like Valencia was used to.
"The club has been through a difficult situation; they struggled the last few seasons. In the end, at least they are finding a way to stay in the first division. It's not the best part of the club's history, but I'm sure that in the future, the club will be much better."
What was the main change when you moved to Leeds, changing LaLiga for the Premier League? Two of the biggest leagues, but very different...
"I think for every player who arrives to the Premier League, their first season is very difficult. It's very physical and demanding and the pace of the game is completely different.
"The Premier League sometimes looks and feels like a different sport, you know? It was a very challenging moment in my career. Especially for the first season and a half with Bielsa, a very good but very demanding coach..."
I wanted to ask about your memories of Marcelo Bielsa, as he is almost a mythical figure not just around Leeds...
"It was a very good experience. I learned a lot from him in many different ways. He is a legend in Leeds; people there love him, and deservedly so. After more than 20 years, he brought them back to the Premier League. It was special playing for him, I always wish him all the best."
After Leeds' relegation, Al Rayyan activated your clause and you moved to Qatar, right after the World Cup. What were your expectations, and how do you like the life here, after three years?
"I never went to the Middle East before, so I didn't know what to expect. But to be fair, I think I adapted to the country since the first month. The people here are very effective, and they have treated me very well since the beginning.
"Thanks to the World Cup, we have these very good stadiums, training grounds and other facilities. And the lifestyle here is very good, it's a very easy city to live in, with people from all over the world.
"This is my third season here, and I think the level of the league is increasing a lot. The QSL is always trying to bring in better players, better coaches, improve the facilities to have a more competitive league, and even put the QSL teams against opposition from Saudi Arabia, the UAE... It's great to be a part of a league where you feel the people care and try their best to improve everything."
What was the biggest change from Europe to the Middle East?
"Culturally, it's different, because it's a different religion, it's a Muslim country. You have to, of course, adapt yourself. But to be fair, I thought it would be more difficult. If you have respect for their culture, there is no problem. You can live a normal life. Especially in Qatar, it's a very cosmopolitan place, which helps a lot.
"One thing that surprised me was the fans. In the Premier League, it's very noisy, 40, 50, 60 thousand fans in the stadiums. Here, the atmosphere is not so loud, but even here we have a good amount of fans."
You were a part of a very successful generation in Spain. What do you think made the team so good, looking almost unbeatable at times?
"In that time it was, it was very difficult to be part of the national team because we had this golden generation of Xavi, Iniesta, David Silva, Villa, Torres. But I had the chance to be a part of the last period of this generation at the World Cup in 2018, and then at the beginning of this new wave when we won the Nations League against Croatia. And one year later, Spain won the Euros.
"I think in Spain, we have a special kind of players, technically gifted, always trying to keep the ball, control the game. I think for me, Spain is one of the four or five favourites to win the World Cup, with this generation of Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Rodri... I always wish the best for the team and for the coach as well. Luis de la Fuente is a great coach with whom I have a very good relationship."
Do you ever think of a return to the national team, or is it a closed chapter?
"I don't think I'll be coming back. I'm almost 35, playing at a different level. Spain have a very good group now to achieve what they want. But I will always be grateful for the national team, from the U20 World Cup, the Olympics, through the Euros and World Cup with La Roja...
"And I'm happy I was able to finish by winning the Nations League with them, too. I'll always be grateful for my time there and all the people I shared it with."