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 finished my first book seventy-six years ago. I offered it to every publisher on the English-speaking earth I had ever heard of. Their refusals were unanimous: and it did not get into print until, fifty years later; publishers would publish anything that had my name on it.
It's really annoying for me. That's not what I'm playing for, to be the face of the NBA or to be this or that or to take LeBron's throne or whatever.
I believe the very best money is made at the market turns. Everyone says you get killed trying to pick tops and bottoms and you make all your money by playing the trend in the middle. Well for twelve years I have been missing the meat in the middle but I have made a lot of money at tops and bottoms.
The key is not to worry about being successful, but to instead to work toward being significant - and the success will naturally follow.
You know, I'm trying to chase rings, and that's all I'm about. So that's where the conversation stops for me.
To me, success is choice and opportunity.
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