Michael Ballack Quotes

At the end of my career I always wanted to look back and know that I had given it my absolute best.

I love what I do. I want to continue winning medals.

I have such pride in my job.

On television, I have watched countless athletes from different countries, sports and Olympics stand proudly at the top of the podium and shed tears. They symbolized the Olympics for me because Olympic medals represent all of the hard work and sacrifices made by the athletes as well as the people who helped them reach the top of their sports.

But Pete had the desire to play at the highest level for so many years. That is very difficult, mentally.

You can be an Olympic champion in 9.5 secs, but to be the greatest, there's more to it. It takes a bit of forethought and a lot of mental application.

There is more credit and satisfaction in being a first-rate truck driver than a tenth-rate executive.

I think you always take pride in how you play.

Today I join the greatest players that played the game. It is a great feeling being here.

I'm happy when I'm doing what I do best.

'Marbles' really took so much and such a thorough effort from me that I was so happy to tie that up and have it feel satisfying.

I'm a firm believer that in the theory that people only do their best at things they truly enjoy. It is difficult to excel at something you don't enjoy.

Now I have a very good life and I am very proud of my work.

I took it very seriously and got very far with it. I was pretty much on a high level when I arrived.

In the end it's about the work, not an award you get for the work.

I'm happy for the success that I've had, but I've worked so hard at it.

Honestly, it's not the medals that I feel so proud of. It's the way I conducted myself as an athlete, the hard work that I put forward.

The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.

We should learn to take genuine pride in a job well done and not expect praise for one simply carried out.

You know, I don't only play for the record books.

I find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.

I'm blessed to have a little bit of success in football.

Any accolades that anybody puts toward this band really makes me feel good, because I have devoted such a big part of my life to this band, making it what I want it to be.

An Olympic medal won't define my whole life, although it might look like it to onlookers. When I look back, I should have been able to get an Olympic medal.

Dad always told me that if you're going to work on something, it might as well be something you're proud of.