20th-century Football (soccer) Player Quotes

Lionel Messi

Diego Maradona

Pelé

Thierry Henry

Zinedine Zidane

Johan Cruyff

Francesco Totti

You have to look beyond race because as a human being you have to experience the person from the inside first

I have lost three World Cups, all on penalties. [...] If you'll allow me this, it really gets on my nerves.

I never wanted to play for any other country but Australia. I learned my football in Australia. I'm Australian.

Because I grew up playing for Roma and I want to die playing for Roma, because I have always been a Roma's fan!

Francesco Totti

I wouldn't be surprised if this game went all the way to the finish.

You always expect to do well at a club like this in big competitions and we haven't done that. That is a disappointment to the newcomers like me who haven't tasted success here and also to those who've been here longer and won things in the past. We have to address that.

Edwin van der Sar

Of course! We have a great team, great players, and in football, it's everything possible.

They're gonna write that I'm a fag and the people is gonna believe it

Juan Román Riquelme

In the west, we have probably hit peak stuff. We talk about peak oil. I'd say we've hit peak red meat, peak sugar, peak stuff… peak home furnishings.

Football gives the African people hope, a true motivation for their life.

Marcel Desailly

Be the mountain / be the ocean / be the tree / be happy / be the light / be the shadow / be the rain / be you / be

I have had a couple of options through my career to go to Real Madrid but I resisted temptation because of the feeling I had for my hometown club. It might be something I regret down the line for not challenging myself and experiencing another country but I would have had an even bigger regret leaving Liverpool. I had a great admiration for Madrid but for me Liverpool is my No 1 club.

If my head had been a ball, it would have been in the top corner of the net.

I would be a liar if I said we were not pretty nervous on the day of the match. I was in my kit, hanging about in the corridor, when I saw the England inside-right [Ernie] Taylor, who wasn't very tall. I popped back into the dressing room and said to the others: 'Listen, we're going to be all right, they've got someone even smaller than me'.

I tell you what son, playing football is a lot easier than directing a funeral.

Comparing his two careers

Ray Wilson (English footballer)

I would not be the player I am today without him, I would not have improved without my dad. In the early years, he would have me over the park training when everyone else was at home or playing with their mates, I was jumping on the floor, getting up and running again, sprinting - I will never forget that. I thank him for everything he has done in my football life and for being a dad.

Jeff Stelling: There's been a red card but for who Chris Kamara?
Chris: I don't know Jeff has there? I must have missed that. Is it a red card? I don't know, I don't know the rain must have got in my eyes Jeff. No you're right I saw him go off but I thought they were bringing a sub on Jeff. Still nil nil ha ha ha

My school was 17 years as a player and another 16 watching more games probably than any coach has - all over the world, all systems. I couldn't go to school and write it down for people who are far less experienced, telling me what to do and how to do it.

I had a look at the keeper and I was thinking that he was a bit too much forward from his line. I tried instinctively to shoot and to hit the target. I was a bit lucky but that's what I wanted to do.

I don't like compliments. No. I prefer criticisms; prefer to prove them wrong

A month from today I guarantee I will be able to stand side by side with any striker in the country. I went to the World Cup as a punter. I didn't see any players that made me think 'I can't do that'

Reporter: Welcome to Southampton Football Club. Do you think you are the right man to turn things around?
Strachan: No. I was asked if I thought I was the right man for the job and I said, "No, I think they should have got George Graham because I'm useless."

Gordon Strachan

I have loved my stay here, enjoyed the wildlife at the Mara and the weather in Mombasa with my family. The hospitality has been first class and am definitely looking forward to coming back sometime in the future... I learned two Swahili words: jambo (Hello!) and asante (Thank you!).

The main problem in Britain is that there are too many competitions and too many games. There is no time to prepare properly for Europe or to introduce new ideas because there is far too much emphasis on domestic football.

I have been received more warmly by Everton than I have by Liverpool. It is scandalous that I should have to write these things about the club that I helped build into what it is today.