Motivational Soccer Quote For Athletes & Coaches

Soccer is much more than just a game, it’s a way of life that teaches you discipline, hard work, and the importance of teamwork. And as an athlete or a parent of one, you are always on the lookout for inspiration and motivation to keep pushing yourself to new heights.  These quotes, from some of the greatest soccer players and coaches of all time, will remind you of the power of determination, sacrifice, and perseverance in achieving your goals. So let’s buckle up and dive in!

1. "The ball is my wife. I have to take care of her." – Diego Maradona

This quote from one of the greatest soccer players of all time reflects the passion and dedication that true athletes have towards their craft. Just like a marriage, soccer requires time, effort, and love to thrive.

2. "The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender." – Vince Lombardi

This quote from the legendary football coach Vince Lombardi applies perfectly to soccer as well. When you work hard and put in the extra effort, it becomes much harder to give up or surrender in the face of adversity.

3. "Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." – Pelé

Widely regarded as one of the best soccer players of all time, Pelé's words remind us that success is not something that is handed to us, but rather something that we need to work hard for – through perseverance, sacrifice, and a genuine love for what we do.

4. "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." – Steve Jobs

Although this quote is not directly related to soccer, it applies to all aspects of life. When we love what we do, we are more likely to give our best effort and achieve great things. This is especially true for soccer, where passion and dedication are critical to success.

5. "I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." – Michael Jordan

This famous quote from the basketball legend Michael Jordan is equally applicable to soccer. It speaks to the power of perseverance and learning from our mistakes and failures, which ultimately lead us towards success.

6. "You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it." – Lionel Messi

As one of the current greats in soccer, Lionel Messi knows a thing or two about the importance of fighting for your dreams. Sacrifice and hard work are the keys to success, and when you are willing to give everything you have, you will eventually achieve your goals.

7. "All I want to do is play soccer and have fun. That's what I love." – Alex Morgan

This quote from Alex Morgan, one of the best female soccer players in the world, reminds us of the importance of having fun and enjoying what we do. When we play with passion and joy, we are more likely to succeed and achieve our goals.

8. "You can't let one bad moment spoil a bunch of good ones." – Dale Earnhardt

In soccer – as in life – there will always be setbacks and difficulties. But it's important not to let these moments define us or hold us back. Instead, we need to focus on the good moments and keep pushing forward towards our goals.

9. "It is not the size of a man but the size of his heart that matters." – Éric Abidal

Soccer is often seen as a sport for tall, strong, and powerful athletes. However, as Éric Abidal – a former French soccer player – reminds us, it's not our physical size that matters, but rather the size of our heart and our passion for the game.

10. "You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there." – Venus Williams

Believing in yourself is critical to success, both in soccer and in life. When you have confidence in your abilities, you have the mindset and determination to overcome any obstacle in your path.

11. "I’ve never scored a goal in my life without getting a pass from someone else." – Abby Wambach

Abby Wambach, a former US women's national soccer team player, emphasizes the importance of teamwork in soccer. No one can achieve success alone – we all need each other's support and assistance to reach our goals.

12. "A champion is someone who gets up when they can't." – Jack Dempsey

This quote from the legendary American boxer Jack Dempsey applies to soccer as well. In soccer, as in any other sport, there will be times when we feel like giving up or when things are not going our way. But it's in these moments that true champions rise up and keep pushing forward.

13. "The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning." – Pelé

Winning is never easy, but the harder we work for it, the sweeter the victory feels. This quote from Pelé reminds us that it's not just about winning, but also about the journey and the effort that goes into achieving our goals.

14. "The best teams come out of the toughest games battered and bruised but victorious." – Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm, a former US women's national soccer team player, understands the importance of going through difficult times to become a better team. It's in adversity that we learn to work together and find strength in our unity.

15. "If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything." – John Wooden

Mistakes are an inevitable part of soccer – just like they are in life. But as the legendary basketball coach John Wooden reminds us, it's through our mistakes that we learn and grow, and become better players and people.

16. "Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." – Henry Ford

This quote from the founder of Ford Motor Company applies to soccer as well. When we fail – whether it's missing a shot or losing a game – we have the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and improve our performance for the next time.

17. "The key is not the will to win... everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important." – Bobby Knight

Preparation is key to success, not just in soccer but in any aspect of life. When we put in the time and effort to prepare ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally, we are more likely to perform at our best and achieve our goals.

18. "If you can't outplay them, outwork them." – Ben Hogan

In soccer, as in any other sport, there will always be players who are more talented or skilled than us. But as the legendary golfer Ben Hogan reminds us, we can still win by putting in the extra effort, working harder, and outlasting our opponents.

19. "The game is my wife. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace." – Diego Maradona

This quote from Diego Maradona speaks to the deep emotional connection that many soccer players have with the sport. Soccer is not just a game or a job, but a way of life that brings fulfillment, joy, and peace to those who love it.

20. "The strongest are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about." – Jonathan Harnisch

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Best Inspirational Soccer Quotes From Soccer Players For Soccer Players

This quote is a powerful reminder that true strength lies not in physical prowess, but in the resilience, determination, and courage that soccer players show both on and off the field. It's in the battles that we face behind closed doors – the struggles, doubts, and failures – that we find the inner strength to reach our goals.

Soccer is much more than just a game – it's a way of life that teaches us important lessons in discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. These 20 soccer quotes from some of the greatest players and coaches of all time remind us of the power of passion, hard work, preparation, and resilience in achieving our goals. Whether you're an athlete or a parent, these quotes are sure to inspire and motivate you to keep kicking it up a notch and chasing your dreams – on and off the field.