Athlete Quotes

Small players learn to be intuitive, to anticipate, to protect the ball. A guy who weighs 90 kilos doesn't move like one who weighs 60. In the playground I always played against much bigger kids and I always wanted the ball. Without it, I feel lost.

Perfection doesn't exist.

My father has made a museum with my cuttings and photographs.

La Masia is a place where lots of people live together but you are on your own.

In the past, I had my idols but today I enjoy learning from all the soccer I watch.

If you win without sacrifice you enjoy it but it's more satisfying when you have struggled.

If there is one thing that all players have in common it is that winning, competitive gene; the ability to overcome obstacles and fight for what you want from your career.

I like to watch soccer, no matter what teams or players are in the field.

I get the feeling people respect me and that there is affection for me. That makes me happy.

I don't consider myself a star.

Every player wants to be as complete as possible and goals for a central midfielder are very important.

Sooner or later a rider will emerge who will win more Tours. In every sport we have seen how the records eventually get broken and cycling is no exception.

My strength was that I am more balanced and calmer than most other riders.

If I had been born with an aggressive character, then maybe my palmares would have been longer.

I have earned enough to take it a bit easier now.

I didn't feel I had to prove anything more.

I did try to win a sixth, but it was not to be.

To be free and to live a free life - that is the most beautiful thing there is.

I inherited that calm from my father, who was a farmer. You sow, you wait for good or bad weather, you harvest, but working is something you always need to do.

When I retire I'm gonna bet on Wolves drawing every game. I'll be a multi-millionaire!

We do not want to be giving quality sides such as Southampton, Palace, Norwich and the rest eight or nine points start and expect to get back up with them.

We can't keep playing catch up as we have done for every season I've been here.

The problem is, when you come back in you're sweating, so I wait until the very last minute before putting on my shirt so that it's not covered in sweat.

The best player I've ever played with was Paul Gascoigne. He had everything. He was amazing.

Of course, I will keep myself fit, keep my boots clean and you never know.

Marcel Desailly was pretty hard when I played against him in a Milan derby.

Liverpool fans were great to me, I still live near the city and they always come up and shake my hand.

It's not just what you do on the pitch, it's what you do off the pitch.

It's a shame the Manchester United situation turned sour.

I'm taking it step by step and not thinking at all about a new contract.