Nurhan Hisham
“All you know is growing up and playing with the boys in town. But, only when they let you. Because they always had that stupid plan. You can play, they’d say, but only on a team with the players from the neighborhood who weren’t that good. Not that it mattered. ‘I’ll play with whoever,’ you tell them every time. And it didn’t matter. Because even when you were with the boys who couldn’t play very well, your team still won. You dribble fast, you play in a short space and you think fast. And you show them. Every. Single. Time. You show them: You’re a girl, and you can play football.”
Brazil and Orlando Pride forward Marta writes to her 14-year-old self in The Players’ Tribune
“It’s all about respect. It’s all about equality everywhere in the world. We are all equal when we play football. We can play with Chinese people, African guys, French, American, but we’re all equal when we do what we love on the pitch, and that’s the message we want to give to everyone.”
France and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba speaks at the launch of UEFA’s RESPECT campaign
“That is a very good question. I see some with great potential: (Marco) Asensio, (Kylian) Mbappé, Neymar, (Ousmane) Dembele, (Eden) Hazard, (Marcus) Rashford … and some others. In the next generation there are at least ten players with very, very great potential.”
Portugal and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is asked by reporters to name his possible successors after winning the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2016/17 Award
“We have the best attack in the world. It is very important for me to be able to play and develop with players like Messi, Dybala, Di Maria and Banega. They have great qualities, they will surely help my game and I intend to return the favour. I think the call-up is a prize for all the work I’ve been doing these years. I want to demonstrate for the national team the same thing that I show with my club.”
Mauro Icardi speaks after getting called up for Argentina’s upcoming FIFA World Cup™ qualifying matches
“It was great that Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches. I really appreciated that. However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football. It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me. Playing for England has always been special to me. Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me. But I believe now is the time to bow out. Hopefully the exciting players Gareth is bringing through can take that ambition further and I hope everyone will get behind the team. One day the dream will come true and I look forward to being there as a fan – or in any capacity.”
England top scorer and outfield appearance record holder Wayne Rooney announces his retirement from international football
“I’m not sure what else you have to do to become a legend. I congratulate him on a fantastic international career. We’re good at judging our players harshly. Rooney’s done everything but win a trophy with England. By that token only the guys from 1966 can be elevated to that level. I’ve got huge respect for him. I was fortunate to play with him and manage him. He’s been a pleasure to work with and I’m sure there’ll be a role for him to play in the future. ”
England manager Gareth Southgate pays tribute to Rooney during a news conference
“We always said that we would not close the door to anyone. We felt we needed him now and we think he will help us. He is having magnificent performances with his team and he is very motivated. It’s true that he comes from a different league [MLS] but that is the way it is. I have spoken to David and we have seen him play.”
Spain head coach Julen Lopetegui tells a news conference about the inclusion of New York City forward David Villa in his latest squad
“I worked with him last season at Fenerbahce where he showed what he could do. Robin is a player we might still need but we’ll see in the next weeks how fit he is and if he is playing.”
Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat speaks about the return of Robin van Persie in the latest squad in a statement released by the Dutch football association (KNVB)
“Aboubakar definitely deserves to succeed and assert himself like me, or like Samuel Eto’o for example, because he has everything that it takes to get there.”
Porto head coach Sergio Conceicao tells O’Jogo he believes forward Vincent Aboubakar has the potential to emulate Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o
