"It was just another assist"

Soccer runs along the lines of consumer societies: the more money that is handled, the more uncertainty is hidden. In an industry that has grown in sophistication, the last couple of decades have seen the proliferation of prudent players; those that prefer to pass unnoticed, those that say little off the field, those that obey their coach unquestioningly. It is more and more unusual to find players willing to take the initiative on the field without thinking about what the coach, the marketing department or the press says. It is rare to find a player like José María Gutiérrez - Guti.

A year ago in the Riazor stadium, where Real Madrid was held to a goalless tie last weekend, Guti wrote his manifesto and testament as a Real player. It took just a couple of seconds, the length of time it took the midfielder to find space to reach a Kaká pass under the eye of Deportivo defender Juca and with Dani Aranzubia in the Depor goal closing down the angle for a shot on goal. Guti laid off a cheeky back-heeled pass to Karim Benzema, who gleefully hammered the ball into the net to terminate a flowing counter-attack launched by Real keeper Iker Casillas. It was the divisive playmaker's last assist for Real before he left for Besiktas and the seal of a player dedicated to his independence. In soccer there are players that will be remembered for their titles, goals and records. Guti will be remembered by Real fans for much more than that.

Question. Was the backheel a luxury or an emergency solution? If you'd had a shot would have it been difficult to score?

Answer. Aranzubia closed me down really well, there wasn't much of an angle. The ball was heading toward my right foot and on my left a defender was closing in. I saw out the corner of my eye that Benzema was behind me. I didn't backheel because it was more esthetic but because I wanted the move to end with a goal and I chose the easiest solution. The simpler you play, the better for soccer.

Q. Did the move define you?

A. It's the perfect picture of me as a player, a résumé of my career. I've always tried to play practical and attractive soccer. At the end of the day I'll be remembered for my assists. That was just another assist.

Q. Diego Latorre said that pass was a work of art and that you are a soccer bohemian.

A. I'm a bohemian in life in general; someone who can be absolutely fulfilled and happy but two hours later can feel like the unluckiest man in the world. I've been through good and bad times. But that pass will stay with me forever because it reminds me of my last good moment with Real. I've always been true to myself on and off the pitch. Maybe that led me to make mistakes, but who hasn't?