Jose Mourinho Quotes

There were butterflies, otherwise, you're not really ready to play. The locker room, I remember, was quiet and we were very focused on playing that game.

At least with me, the match starts much, much earlier than the actual match.

If you're not just a little bit nervous before a match, you probably don't have the expectations of yourself that you should have.

The battle to win - on the pitch and in the boardroom - begins and ends in one's head.

My attitude as a footballer was to always be prepared - make sure you're the fittest and know who you're up against. And that's exactly how I treat the media side.

Learning how to compete is one of the most important things that an athlete can do. You can train as well as you possibly can and go compete and completely choke.

When you're going out with the attitude that you want to win, you can't get caught up in the style of play.

If any player in the world tells you he doesn't care about what the opponents do, he is lying.

Mentality is a big part of every game, when you take the initiative and when you drop.

Training is not the key. Head is the key. For me, it's head. How aggressive you will be. Who will attack first? But you need to be good in your head, and there will be no problem.

You need to be 100% focused all match long against Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

I have no doubt in my abilities that I can beat any of the top ten guys. Once I'm focused I know I can beat them.

Fortunately, the way I play tennis, I don't have to spend too much time analyzing or worrying about my opponents. I typically try to focus on my own game, and I know if I do that and execute, I can beat anyone.

Many people ask, 'What do you need mentally to succeed in F1?' I say, 'What do you mean mentally?'

When you are in the goal, you have to concentrate totally on the game, but in a shoot-out when the striker is walking towards the penalty spot, you remember what you have been through and see it as a chance to make the difference.

Come fight night, there will be nerves, but it's how you react to those nerves - doing what you need to regardless - that's how you win fights.

I don't do nervous, really. You always have to respect your opponent, respect the game of football, and be 100 per cent focused.

I don't really play off nerves. I just want to win.

Nobody has ever had to get me ready for a game.

When you've won a lot of matches you know how to play the important moment - you have a great feeling on court, confidence. You know what you have to do, when to go for the shots or when to play solid. It's really clear in your head, and you trust in your hands.

I'm about great competition. That's why I can have a great smile beforehand and connect with the crowd, and then, when I get in the ring, I flip that switch.

The mental part of the game, being able to free up on the tennis court, is much easier said than done.

As a competitor, you want to get on the field as soon as you can. But you want to do best for your team, your career and everything. That's not up me to decide.

People used to talk to me about that and say, 'Rom doesn't play with passion.' I do, but I don't show it too much because in my mind, I'm a guy that thinks a lot about how to win the game. Sometimes I let the emotions just come now, and it helps me.

Some guys lock up when they hear the crowd. I feel the energy and take it with me into the fight. I've been in front of huge crowds and know to use that energy.