#football

“For me I would say my favourite players in Europe are Raúl and Figo.”

“I hope he doesn't like travelling, Failing that we will stop him entering the country. Real buy these big players like Figo, Zidane and Ronaldo but I think the best player in the world is Raúl. Alex Ferguson 2003, [3]”

“I’d sign him right here and now, and I’d go wherever it takes to land a player like that, he’s a "Crack" (a "match changing" player) player and I’m a fan of everything that he does, and what’s more now is the prefect time to sign him as he’s got a wealth of experience and has reached full maturity. Ottmar Hitzfeld 2007 [2]”

“I once said that Raúl is like a Ferrari and now I think he is like a McLaren, Fernando Alonso's car. and he is also one of the few guy's that if i ever have a problem i would go to him rather than my own mother Fernando Hierro 2007, [1]”

“When he plays, in his mind there is only the goal; it's the football essence. Every time they do something, you stand up over your seat”

“Raúl is one of the best of Europe. He is Real Madrid's spirit. He is like Matthäus for us: indispensable, and with a bad haircut”

“Raúl is the best forward in the world”

“He is a winner. He is the inheritance of Real Madrid”

“(Not) the Raúl thing , The Independent , June 6, 2006”

“Raúl is my bete noire”

“In the future everyone will be world”

“Pelé is one of the few who contradicted my theory [...] Instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries. Andy Warhol cited in Pelé's New York Times obituary”

“Welcome into Pelé's World”

“Success is not an accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”

“[On his unpublicized work as a songwriter.] I didn't want the public to make the comparison between Pele the composer and Pele the footballer. That would have been a huge injustice”

“When I was a professional footballer at Santos [where he played from 1956”

“SI Flashback: Soccer's greatest genius”

“I was born for soccer, just as Beethoven was born for music. Quoted in Parton Keese, The measure of greatness”

“A penalty is a cowardly way to score.”

“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.”

“I knew that at some point God was going to give it to me and I don't know why, but I felt it was going to be like this. Once again he made me very happy. After lifting the World Cup trophy 18 December 2022”

“Qatar World Cup will be my last: Lionel Messi”

“I will never go to trial against Barça because it is the club that I love, which has given me everything since I arrived here. It's the club of my life, I made my life here. Messi interview with Goal, announced he remains at Barca”

“I love to see T”

“[Becoming a father] has changed everything. He [Thiago] comes first then everything else. It has also changed the way I see a match. Before if I lost or did something wrong I didn't talk to anyone for three or four days, until it passed. Now, I come home after a game, I see my son and everything is alright. Interview with CONMEBOL , 2015 [6]”

“Barcelona gave me everything, they took a chance on me when nobody else would. I never have any desire to play for anybody else, I will be here for as long as they want me. Interview with ShortList , 2015 [5]”

“Being a dad changes everything for the better and I’m really enjoying it. Interview with TyC Sports , 2014 [4]”

“Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer) was my hero. He was the best forward I've ever seen. He was so fast that he could score a goal from nothing and he struck the ball better than anyone I've seen. Interview with FourFourTwo , 2012 [3]”

“It doesn't matter if I am better than Cristiano Ronaldo, all that matters is that Barcelona are better than Madrid. After scoring four goals against Arsenal , 2011 [2]”

“Diego is Diego and for me he is the greatest player of all time. Even after a million years I am not even going to be close to Maradona. I have no intention of comparing myself with Maradona”

“You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.”

“Football is the most beautiful and healthy sport in the world.”

“I was born to play football, just like Beethoven was born to write music.”

“The ball does not stain.”

“I made mistakes, but I also learned from them. That is what matters.”

“He made the first Gaelic football goal in a regular football match. We won't forget. Argentina's branch of the Gaelic Athletic Association , after Maradona's death, noting that the the hand of God would not have been a foul in every sport.”

“The unconventional and uninhibited way of living was a part of my life. I won't be like that now.”

“There is no secret here. I will give my all, as I always have. This way I prove to the people who hired me, and those who support me, how much it means.”

“Even now as a manager, when I suffer a loss it still feels like a first loss, the first I suffered as a player. And when I win, it is like my first win, too. This is me, this is my personality, it is who I am and will always be.”

“I am with Maduro , I will continue with him and I will die with him. Estoy con Maduro, sigo con él y voy a morir con él”

“You Pasman, you have it inside, too. http://www.conexionbrando.com/1314892”

“Funny old games: The sporting year in a year like no other”

“In the wake of winning his fifth Ballon d’Or in December 2017.”

“I don’t see anyone better than me. No player does things that I cannot do myself, but I see things others can’t do. There’s no more complete player than me. I’m the best player in history”

“It bothers me when it's said that Madrid is struggling because Cristiano is struggling. It feels like you are after me. If everyone was at my level, perhaps we would be in first place. Telegraph Sport ( 28 February 2016 ).  Cristiano Ronaldo: If everyone was at my level perhaps we would be top? .  The Telegraph . Retrieved on 16 February 2018.”

“In an interview with the BBC ahead of the release of Ronaldo .”

“In my mind, I'm always the best. I don't care what people think, what they say. In my mind, not just this year but always, I'm always the best. Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm the best player in the world .  BBC Sport  ( 5 November 2015 ). Retrieved on 4 February 2018.”

“In the wake of winning his third Ballon d’Or in December 2014.”

“Dev, Sarthak ( 15 December 2017 ).  The Ballon d’Or: It’s time football stopped trying to be Hollywood .  Football Paradise . Retrieved on 4 February 2018.”

“Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Translation: Yessssssssssssssssssss”

“After being asked asked about the behaviour of the Dinamo Zagreb supporters , who chanted the name of his perceived rival Lionel Messi .”

“I think that because I am rich, handsome and a great player people are envious of me. I don’t have any other explanation. Reuters Staff ( 15 September 2011 ).  People envy my cash and looks”