Rafael van der Vaart Quotes

I was gifted with the ball, and I saw the opportunity of playing in the Bundesliga as the tool I needed to make a name for myself.

That's where I spent the biggest chunk of my career, having been at Juventus for ten years. That was the best thing that happened to me because it was where I got to know real football, at an ambitious club with ambitious players.

I will always look back with great pleasure on the time spent in the DFB team.

I don't know how I can explain that moment. But it was the best moment I think in my life when I signed with Chelsea because it was my dream to come here.

It's the first hat trick of my career, so I will treasure the match ball.

When I signed that USL contract, my perspective changed on me being a professional footballer. That was my goal ever since I was young. I never thought I could achieve it, but that's when it clicked in my head that I can really go far in the sport.

When I was five, 10, 15 years old, I always dreamed of being in the best league in the world, playing with some of the best clubs.

Surely it was the best decision of my career to sign for Juventus.

I arrived in Europe with so many dreams and already Bayern have helped me achieve many of them.

I got my first taste of real professional football on loan at Northampton. I was 18 at the time, and I played only nine games, but it was a massive opportunity for me.

I have said in the past that I would be happy to see out my career at Chelsea. I moved here to play in the best league in the world with one of the strongest teams.

Coming through the youth ranks at Fulham is a great honour to me.

My years at Barcelona are a big help. I spent four dream years there.

When I moved to Hull and I was playing against players in the Premier League, maybe I pinched myself then.

Atletico know I have a special feeling for the team. I lived the best moment of my career there.

I've played for a great club in Corinthians and been successful. I moved to Shakhtar and that turned into a great move too.

I've got nothing but very fond memories of my time in Carolina, both at the Panthers and in the community with the friends we made, our experiences and vacations we took.

When I went to Real Madrid, I was only 18 or 19 years old. It was my first year as a professional footballer. I was very young.

Tottenham was my first international club. I spent four glorious years there, and the fans were brilliant with me. I only have good memories.

I had the best job in the NFL.

Real are the best club in the world. Any footballer dreams about playing there, and I am no different.

Obviously my feelings for Portland are quite special because that's where I obtained one of my greatest career satisfactions; like the first love, you never forget the first win!

I remember playing against the great Manchester United teams when I was a player.

Just going to games from a young age with my dad, watching Tottenham as often as I could, celebrating in my front room, singing and enjoying it, so many fond memories from when I was a kid.

I'm happy at Real Madrid and can imagine ending my career here - if all goes well.