Football Idol Quotes

People like Paul Scholes were in my way at United - what are you going to do with that? You just look at him as an idol. I have watched him since I was a little kid. I couldn't have had a much better teacher.

I'm Argentine, and that's why I admire Messi most.

As a young Scottish footballer growing up - I always used to follow Scotland and watch the games - Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, and Joe Jordan were players I looked up to.

Ronaldinho is the biggest idol in football for me. I like him a lot.

Zico was my idol. He was a very good player from Flamengo, and I was a Flamengo supporter from Rio de Janeiro. I was always looking for him and saying I want to be like him. He's my big hero.

It's true that when I started out, I was more a fan of attacking players and one in particular: the Brazilian Ronaldo, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima. Another of my idols was Claudio Caniggia, an Argentinian forward with long hair, who I liked a lot. It's because of him that I started to grow my hair long!

As a young footballer at United, Steve Bruce was one of the senior pros I really admired.

When I was young, I looked up to Andriy Shevchenko. He was so elegant, and on the pitch as well.

Growing up, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were the players I looked up to - and Carlos Tevez when he was at the club.

Obviously, Thierry Henry is someone I have looked up to ever since I started playing football.

I grew up watching Arsenal. You don't think you're going to get to play with Thierry Henry. Him breaking my dad's record and now he assists half my goals, it's weird. How'd that happen?

John Barnes was my idol growing up and he's the reason I've supported Liverpool. I play nothing like him, though!

My football idol growing up, I was named after Walter Payton, but my idols at RB were Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith.

Messi is God, as a person and even more as a player. I knew him when he was a boy and I’ve watched him grow. He deserves it all.

Ronaldinho - he was one of my idols.

I really like Ronaldinho. He is the player I have watched the most and tried to copy the most, but I am still learning.

The fact that an Englishman has an Argentinian as an idol is very rare. I keep watching my [title-winning] goal against QPR and every time I get more emotional. My plan is to stay here because I'm convinced Manchester City will be at the same level as Real Madrid and Barcelona.

I remember being a young boy in Poland, watching David Seaman, Thierry Henry, Dennis Berkamp and others play for Arsenal. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get a chance to play for the club I supported as a little kid.

George Best was my idol. I got a chance to meet him once.

As a young footballer I used to look up to a number of stars for inspiration and I understand what Bhaichung must have done for all young Indians aspiring to be footballer.

Shevchenko was always the favourite player for me. He was my idol. When we met, we exchanged shirts and talked for a while. It was great.

I saw United matches on TV as a kid in Sao Paulo. I loved watching Ruud van Nistelrooy. He was a hero for me because of the way he scored goals in all competitions.

I always liked No. 10 because I loved Zidane. He was my role model. I always wanted to play like him.

The one player I have looked up to since I was a kid is Ryan Giggs.

My idol was always Romario. He was playing in Holland at the time and I loved him. His skills, technique, I loved him he was my hero. I liked his whole game. One moment it would be like he was sleeping and then another moment he would change the game.