Van der Vaart: "I will not change my style of play at Betis"

Rafael van der Vaart gave an interview to The Mirror in which he mainly talked about his years at Tottenham. The current Betis player told the British newspaper that leaving the London club "was the stupidest decision" of his career: "Vilas-Boas (Tottenham's coach at the time) told me that I wasn't his number 1, even though I had played two incredible years. It was strange, but I thought to myself: it's better to leave, and that's what happened. It's the stupidest thing I've done in my career."

The Dutchman reveals that this summer he could have returned to White Hart Lane: "I almost tried to go back to Tottenham. If they had come for me, I would have gone... but then Betis came and I quickly decided that was the best option for me."

Van der Vaart also speaks to those who doubt that, at 32 years old, he can return to his best football moments. He has changed, but the sport of football has also changed: "The number 10 (offensive midfielder or playmaker) has always been my best position, but hardly any team plays with a typical '10' anymore. Maybe it was easier to play that way 10 years ago, but I'm not going to change my style of play at Betis. Football changes everywhere. I think this season I could also play as a number 6, in front of the defense, and build the game from the back."