Mario Kempes Quotes

To speak of Mexico '86, I can make it short and speak only of Maradona. I never saw a player who dominated a World Cup like he did in '86.

I had my time in the England shirt and won a lot of caps.

For Spain, the more I play, the more goals I score, the more chance I have of making the World Cup and starting games.

George Best was one of the most talented players of all time and probably the best footballer who never made it to a major world final.

The myth about me as a footballer has grown: I am now the lost Maradona of Norway.

There is no doubt that I would have won more honours had I signed for Manchester United as a youngster.

There have been times when I've reflected on my international career and just thought: 'Well that was a massive waste of time.' Sorry for sounding sour, but my best mate, David Beckham, got butchered after the World Cup in 1998, then my brother, Phil, after Euro 2000.

Most people only remember Maradona for the bad parts now. But he was a genius, someone who lifted us and himself up to the level of the gods.

The Under-21s was a good experience for me and one I will take into the Euros.

It's impossible to describe Messi. I like him so much, and I always say I feel so sad because he never won the World Cup with Argentina. It is an award he deserves because a world-class player like him must be a world champion.

I always said I was very grateful for Chelsea. I spent an amazing time of my career there, we won a lot of trophies, and I think I became a better player. I have great friends in the club, and I always wish the best for them.

I think that it is advantageous to join Bayern Munich at a young age.

To be captain and win a lot at Juventus, to play for 20 years, to play in the World Cup, European Cup, I think I had a good career, no?

For me, playing through all the youth teams at Borussia Dortmund was a really good experience because I was able to play against talented opponents at a relatively early age.

Everything Maradona did, he did with a guy hanging on his neck during 90 minutes.

I never saw Pele, but I watched Maradona, for seven years I saw every game. He's not one of the best, he's the best.

It's true that if it's always going to be that if you win the World Cup or European Championship, you're a success, and if you don't, you're a failure, then you're bedding yourself for a lack of success because there aren't many coaches who have won those things, and there are thousands who haven't.

Maradona has done a lot for his clubs, as Messi does, and for the Argentina national team.

I see football as a bit like a stairway, and you have to climb it bit by bit. First, you have to play good football so that you get to play for a good team. Then, hopefully you achieve such a level that you are invited to play for your national side, in time for a World Cup, if possible.

I've played two World Cups. I've won the Champions League.

My dad was my manager when I was young, but as a professional, Frank Rijkaard.

It is very nice Kasper has now also won the Premier League, too. I am very proud; I think he has done a fantastic job. It has been amazing to bring this lad into the world and bring him up and hear his wishes and hopes for the future, his ambitions; he made it fairly clear early on that he wanted to become a footballer.

Maradona was absolutely the best player I ever played with.

I'll always be proud to say I played at Chelsea, at Valencia, in the youth system at Real Madrid, in the youth system at Real Oviedo, and for United.

I've played for England Under-21s, in the Under-20 World Cup and I've been part of the play-offs in the Championship. But in terms of helping my career and getting me ready, going to Cheltenham Town was a massive experience.