In football, the result is an impostor. You can do things really, really well but not win. There's something greater than the result, more lasting - a legacy.
Interpretation
Success in football isn't solely defined by winning; itβs about leaving a lasting legacy.
This quote from Xavi emphasizes that in football, like in many areas of life, achieving a result or winning is not the only measure of success. The more important aspect is the impact and legacy left behind, which can be felt long after the games have ended. It suggests that true accomplishment lies in the quality of one's contributions and the values upheld throughout one's journey, rather than merely tallying wins.
In practice
Mentioning this quote during a sports seminar to emphasize the importance of character and influence over winning.
In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen β the most complete β is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesnβt give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.
In futsal, you see whether a player is really talented. You notice the small details in quality, class and tactical understanding.
In England, footballers are respected more, the game is more noble, there's less cheating. Every Spaniard who goes loves it - and comes back a better player. If I had ever left, it would have been to England.
I spend the entire 90 minutes looking for space on the pitch. I'm always between the opposition's two holding midfielders and thinking, 'The defence is here, so I get the ball and I go there to where the space is.'
I missed so many opportunities along the way to do what I wanted to do because I didn't have the confidence to tell myself, much less anybody else, 'Yes, this is the business I wanted to be a part of'.
Efficiency is doing better what is already being done.
You don't need to be an expert in order to achieve satisfactory investment returns. But if you aren't, you must recognize your limitations and follow a course certain to work reasonably well. Keep things simple and don't swing for the fences.
When I chased after money, I never had enough. When I got my life on purpose and focused on giving of myself and everything that arrived into my life, then I was prosperous.
There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.
You don't know what it is to be heavyweight champ of the world until you become the heavyweight champ of the world.
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