From 2010 on the Champions Promenade Hugo Sanchez is alongside with Maradona, Di Stéfano, Platini and Baggio. What does it means for you?

It's great! I wish to thanks the promoters for this important career award. I’m glad because I think it comes out from a very large and successful career, I started with a special promise to my dad: I would be the best Mexican player ever.

Why Hugo Sanchez wins the Golden Foot 2010?

Maybe because I was judged best Mexican player of all time or best Concacaf player of the century after winning the Golden Boot 1990.

What is the highlight of your career as a player?

For sure when I scored 38 times in Spanish liga for Real Madrid. I won the Golden Boot. I was on top of the strikers in the world!

Which of the 10 champions running for the Golden Foot 2010 do you prefer?

Drogba because is a striker like me. Many of his skills remember me the way I used to play.

Back to the World Cup. Is Spain the right World Champion?

Yes. For sure Spain together with Brazil played the best football. I’m just sorry for Brazil who lost against Netherland. It would be great to see a final with Spain and Brazil.

Italy, France and Argentina failed: why?

Italy did not replaced adequately the 2006 champions. Maybe the need more young players. Argentina showed the world they have lots of individuals and not a real team. France situation is more or less similar to Italy in terms of changes. I’m very sorry for them. I still remember the time in which I was in Cannes (1974) playing a very important tournament. It was like a Youth World Cup. They nicknamed me “El nino de oro”. At that time I met Michel Platini and we started our friendship.

You played for Real Madrid and Atletico. Do you still follow them?

Real Madrid, I’m sure will be back on top with Mourinho. Now they only need of time to remember how to win again. Atletico is improving a lot and will be together with Barca and Madrid till the end.

Mexico is your place and your team. You were their manager, what’s happened before the World Cup 2010?

I’m very disappointed. What hurts me more are those people who took me out the team ,“la seleccion”, to give me the job to qualify Mexico for the Olympics in Beijing. Honestly I did not know those guys and we failed. My team was the other one. The one, I’m sure, was ready to make history with me on the bench. We were ready to do what Uruguay did. Not less than a quarter final. I’m sure of that. What a disappointment!

Mexico got new talents. What do you think about these three players?

Dos Santos: It’s a champion

Hernandez: A great hope for Mexico

Vela: Quality and real talent

Back to Brazil and Brazilians. Which player from the past and present remember you Hugo Sanchez playing?

Talking about the past, Romario was great. Actually I prefer Luis Fabiano.

I heard that he had a studio of dentist. I'd like to know whether he considers himself a good dentist, whether he managed to do some magic operation on the teeth of his clients, whether he has special discount for football fans or he just asks more...

Of course. Everybody loves football will be always welcome. More fans come, means a bigger discount!

(Salvatore Siviero for goldenfoot.com)