Here is the translation of what Iker said in the video below:

Ok, I’m not sure where to start. Speaking in public, in front of so many people like here today, it’s different. Honestly I’m grateful to everybody who gathered here. [smiling] And aside from a few words that kind of sounded like a farewell from the club to me –and I hope it won’t happen before a very long time– I’m very grateful for your words, President. And I also wanted to acknowledge, first and foremost, my dear master Alfredo Di Stéfano, that I admire very much; my President and Vice-President of my club, Florentino Pérez, Enrique Sánchez and Fernando Fernández Tapias; Sandra López, the publisher of this book; the author, Enrique Ortego, who dug deep… well, I think I’m not going to tell you exactly how deep he went, but he did it with a lot of affection, pleasure, and a lot of interest also; I also want to acknowledge the mayor of Móstoles –that I keep considering my mayor– and the mayor of Navalacruz, thank you very much for being here; also my teammates –Adán, Calle and Granero– and those present, thank you very much for being here today.

It is a huge honor for me to be here with all of you –as I said before– in my stadium, at my home, joined by my two families: the natural one –who is sitting here in the first row– and the Madridistas, for the launch of this book, which deals with me… sorry I mean with my person, my life and my memories. When Enrique first mentioned writing a book about my sporting life –a book that would also be part of the collection about Real Madrid players– I got scared. And I thought –and I’m saying it exactly the way it is– that I didn’t really understand why somebody would write a book about me. And there were two reasons for that: first, because it is my understanding that books are supposed to cover the career of a player, and therefore can only be written when the career is over –and I can assure you that I hope I still have a long time ahead of me [smiling]; and second and most importantly, because I believe that my merits –if I ever had them, or have them– can be displayed in the mass media, in newspapers, on TV maybe… this save, that win, an immediate or very good save… but it feels excessive to see them written in such an impressive work of art, that is brought to us by the publishing house Everest and directed by Enrique Ortego, such a great professional.

But I have to admit that, as the project was progressing, every time I read a chapter, every time I checked out what people thought of me –my loved ones, my friends, my teammates– it felt exciting, and more exciting, and more exciting... As I was remembering my life, well… it was also kind of thrilling to go back to the memories with all the people in my life, and it was an opportunity to relive moments that had always been wonderful but that I had somehow forgotten. Fond memories, and also a few bad ones –everybody has some– but I always tend to remember the good times more. This book is about those times, sports results, opinions from my family, my friends, the people from the club, and my workmates all along those years. I can assure you that this experience has been gratifying and I have to say that I’m very happy with the end result. I know that Enrique made a huge effort –and I can also say that he’s been such a pain! [laughing]– because he’s been capable of completing this work with much excitement and dedication in a very short time.

I want to thank him for his patience, for his comprehensive research of data, information, articles, clippings, but above all for his patience when investigating my life, and checking it by personally interviewing all the people who truly know me. I want to thank my President for his foreword, his fond words that fill me with pride and satisfaction… Thank you Presi for choosing me as the next one for this beautiful collection of books. To the Realmadrid Foundation and its alma blanca, always dedicated to conveying the values of Real Madrid around the world, as I could see for myself in Chile, where I felt more Madridista than ever in one of its schools. To the publishing house Everest for betting on me with the publication of this book. To my teammates, my friends, who had to endure Enrique’s persecution night and day –I keep insisting about Enrique, but that’s how he is! [laughing]–, but above all, I want to thank my family, my father José Luis, my mother María del Carmen and my brother Unai. Without them, I can assure you that I wouldn’t be here today [feeling emotional]. Thank you all for your company in such a special day for me, that I will always keep as one of those… [can’t keep speaking, overwhelmed with emotion; lots of applause ensue] I don’t really mind because I’m pretty emotional –all Spain could see that already, but oh well… Thank you all for your company in such a special day for me, that I will always keep as one of those big memories that I hope will be featured someday in what will be the final book about my life, and that I hope will also be written by Enrique.

A hug for all of you and thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.

Note: Realmadrid Foundation collaborated to this book through its Heritage Center, which went through over 1000 images (pictures, negatives, slides and magazines) to provide 174 of them to Everest.