12 of the most iconic quotes in the history of football
In addition to goals, assists, plays, skills, trophies, etc., football also leaves us with memorable quotes. For some reason, players and managers often have a certain talent for leaving quotes that endure over time and that we who love the sport refer to.Here are 12 of the most famous quotes from players and coaches over the years, all considered unforgettable and forever inscribed in football history.
Please, don't call me arrogant. Because what I am saying is true, I am European champion so I am not one of the bottle. I think I'm a special one - Jose Mourinho
Every football fan knows that Mourinho is nicknamed The Special One, but not everyone knows the origin of that nickname. When the Portuguese player arrived at Chelsea in 2004, he responded this way to a question from a journalist, suggesting that Mourinho felt a little undervalued by the press. That press conference made it clear from the outset that, indeed, this was no ordinary guy who had arrived in the Premier League.
It's the history of Tottenham - Giorgio Chiellini
Back in 2018, in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, Tottenham were leading 1-0 at halftime, a result that allowed them to qualify thanks to the 2-2 draw in the first leg. However, in three minutes, Juventus scored two goals and eliminated the English team. In the post-match interview, the Italian defender Chiellini echoed that sentiment, adding, "(It's the history of Tottenham.) They always created many chances to score so much, but at the end, they always missed something to arrive at the end".
We didn't underestimate them. They were just much better than we thought - Bobby Robson
After a close match in the 1990 World Cup quarterfinals between England and Cameroon, the then-England manager made that statement after his team won in extra time with a Lineker penalty. At that time, African football hadn't gained the notoriety it has today, and Cameroon was considered the great revelation of that World Cup, and clearly, their performance came as a surprise to the English team and thus gave birth to this a bit humoristic quote.
Football is a sport played 11 against 11 and Germany always wins - Gary Lineker
Without forgetting the 1990 World Cup or the England national team, after defeating Cameroon, the British faced Germany, who would eventually become world champions. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and was decided on penalties. After the match, in a resigned and somewhat tired tone, Gary Lineker offered that often-referred-to quote, especially when Germany is in good form.
90 minuti en el Bernabéu son molto longo - Juanito
In 1985, Real Madrid faced Inter Milan in the UEFA Cup semi-final. In the first leg played in Italy, Inter won 2-0, and Juanito, a striker who spent a decade with Real Madrid, said that phrase to one of his opponents at the end of the match. Almost as if he could see the future, Real Madrid won 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, reached the final, and lifted the trophy.
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The press is always negative, never positive - Louis Van Gaal
The relationship between the Spanish press and Louis Van Gaal was never particularly good, and in 1999, during what was supposed to be a regular press conference, the Dutchman had a brief exchange with a journalist who criticized one of Barcelona's players. This led Van Gaal to utter this remark, referring to the fact that the press always had a negative interpretation of everything that happened around him and his team.
I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year - Ange Postecoglou
This is the most recent on the list, but it's already one of those quotes that will go down in history. To give some context, as Postecoglou was beginning his second year as Tottenham manager, he said in preseason that "usually in my second season I win things." In the middle of the season, the Australian manager, after losing a North London derby, corrected himself, making it clear that he always wins something in his second years. The most impressive thing was that he backed up what he said by winning the Europa League that season, with a club whose last title was 17 years old and whose last European title was 41 years earlier.
If you score goals you are the greatest, if not, you are a fatso - Ronaldo Nazario
The Brazilian Ronaldo (Ronaldo Nazario) was one of the greatest players in history, and even for some, the best striker ever to play the game. However, it's clear to everyone that at the end of his career, beginning in his final years at Real Madrid and continuing until his retirement at Corinthians, his weight wasn't optimal. In fact, even while he was with the São Paulo club, it was very noticeable. Hence his peculiar quote.
I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one - Brian Clough
Perhaps today, we all look up to Mourinho as a manager with a personality, a bit of an arrogance, and a somewhat controversial one. However, before Mourinho, English football knew Brian Clough, a manager who made history with Nottingham Forest by winning two consecutive European Cups. Clough was a man who regularly left memorable quotes, and this is one of the most memorable and, curiously, it resembles one of Mourinho's.
Winning isn't the most important thing; it's the only thing. Second place isn't worth it. Do you know who set foot in America after Columbus? I don't - Carlos Salvador Bilardo.
In Argentina, for a long time, there was an endless debate between those who preferred Menotti's style (a more aesthetic and touch-based game) and Bilardo's (a more result-oriented style), both world champions with the Argentine national team. This phrase summed up Bilardo's mentality and even his way of being and expressing himself, a phrase he resorted to on more than one occasion.
If I had been born ugly, you wouldn't have heard of Pele - George Best
The Irishman is someone who could have many quotes on this list, as he was a guy who left behind some truly interesting and entertaining quotes. Here, the Manchester United legend mentioned that if he hadn't been attractive, he would have had a better career, as he probably wouldn't have had so much contact with the nightlife and alcohol.
I was wrong and paid, but the ball is not stained - Diego Maradona
Another player with a knack for delivering great quotes was Diego Maradona. In this case, the quote comes from a speech after his farewell match in 2001, at La Bombonera, Boca Juniors' stadium. To close the speech, Maradona said this quote, summarizing that he made mistakes throughout his career and life, but that football was above all else.