--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Goals are what count for me. It's not…" description: "\"Goals are what count for me. It's not about a battle with defenders. Fighting hard, giving everything and working hard on the field you have to combine..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c8/diego-costa-7284_battle_goals-are-what-count-for-me-it-s-not-abo_1591952.jpg" --- # Goals are what count for me. It's not about a battle with… ![“Goals are what count for me. It's not about a battle with defenders. Fighting hard, giving everything and working hard on the field you have to combine with the goals you score. It doesn't matter if defenders want to battle with me or not; I will just be trying to do my job as well as I possibly…” quote by Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c8/diego-costa-7284_battle_goals-are-what-count-for-me-it-s-not-abo_1591952.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c8/diego-costa-7284_battle_goals-are-what-count-for-me-it-s-not-abo_1591952.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c8/diego-costa-7284_battle_goals-are-what-count-for-me-it-s-not-abo_1591952.jpg) > “Goals are what count for me. It's not about a battle with defenders. Fighting hard, giving everything and working hard on the field you have to combine with the goals you score. It doesn't matter if defenders want to battle with me or not; I will just be trying to do my job as well as I possibly can.” [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success depends on personal goals and effort, not on opponents’ challenges. **In simple terms:** Focus on your own goals and work hard. Key Takeaway Prioritize your performance over rivals. Themes sports goal‑setting determination Mood determined confident Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - match preparation - training sessions - career planning - overcoming adversity Key Concepts personal responsibility teamwork resilience Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal goals with team objectives? - What habits keep you focused under pressure? A Different Perspective If you ignore opponents, you may miss strategic threats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Fighting hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting-hard/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Working hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-hard/) ## Related quotes > [Criticism of me has been unfair. Only goals count - and I have plenty of those.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-trezeguet/criticism-of-me-has-been-unfair-only-goals-count-and-i-have-plenty-of/) [David Trezeguet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-trezeguet/) > [If you have got pace and awareness of where you want the ball and where you want to go yourself, you are getting in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasper-schmeichel/if-you-have-got-pace-and-awareness-of-where-you-want-the-ball-and/) [Kasper Schmeichel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasper-schmeichel/) > [You look at Kawhi Leonard, Tony Allen, Draymond Green: they are great on ball, and they are great team defenders as well. You want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-lavine/you-look-at-kawhi-leonard-tony-allen-draymond-green-they-are-great-on/) [Zach LaVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-lavine/) > [I've pretty much adjusted to how teams play. Like when I draw two defenders, I want to make the best play possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemba-walker/i-ve-pretty-much-adjusted-to-how-teams-play-like-when-i-draw-two/) [Kemba Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemba-walker/) > [I am not hugely concerned about the amount of goals we score - it is the final results that are the difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-benitez/i-am-not-hugely-concerned-about-the-amount-of-goals-we-score-it-is/) [Rafael Benitez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-benitez/) > [The more goals you concede ultimately results in the bottom three, not the more goals you score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/the-more-goals-you-concede-ultimately-results-in-the-bottom-three-not/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [You're paid to perform. There is an outcome to a game and it doesn't matter how many goals you score. If you don't win,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-brodeur/you-re-paid-to-perform-there-is-an-outcome-to-a-game-and-it-doesn-t/) [Martin Brodeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-brodeur/) > [When you are a forward, you are judged on the goals you score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mullin/when-you-are-a-forward-you-are-judged-on-the-goals-you-score/) [Paul Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mullin/) > [Inzaghi was one that I really liked to watch because he was completely different to how I played, but he gave me something I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-sturridge/inzaghi-was-one-that-i-really-liked-to-watch-because-he-was/) [Daniel Sturridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-sturridge/) > [Two out of every three goals you score come from checking. One out of every three comes from sheer finesse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-sinden/two-out-of-every-three-goals-you-score-come-from-checking-one-out-of/) [Harry Sinden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-sinden/) > [It doesn't matter how many goals you score; one goal is enough if you don't let one in your net.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitar-berbatov/it-doesn-t-matter-how-many-goals-you-score-one-goal-is-enough-if-you/) [Dimitar Berbatov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitar-berbatov/) > [I cannot really say how many goals I will score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/klaas-jan-huntelaar/i-cannot-really-say-how-many-goals-i-will-score/) [Klaas-Jan Huntelaar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/klaas-jan-huntelaar/) > [For Spain, the more I play, the more goals I score, the more chance I have of making the World Cup and starting games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvaro-morata/for-spain-the-more-i-play-the-more-goals-i-score-the-more-chance-i/) [Alvaro Morata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvaro-morata/) > [How can you create a team and bring all these egos together? The main goal for Manchester United is for them to play well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/how-can-you-create-a-team-and-bring-all-these-egos-together-the-main/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [I know it is difficult to play in a big club like Manchester United as a No. 10 because you know how many goals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ander-herrera/i-know-it-is-difficult-to-play-in-a-big-club-like-manchester-united/) [Ander Herrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ander-herrera/) ## More by Diego Costa > [I consider myself a player who fights and gives everything on the pitch. Those who know me and appreciate those values understand what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/i-consider-myself-a-player-who-fights-and-gives-everything-on-the/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [If you pinpointed someone before the kick-off, probably you would become embroiled in a fight, and you would be distracted from what really matters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/if-you-pinpointed-someone-before-the-kick-off-probably-you-would/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [A season is very long, and there will be periods where you'll be very good and moments where you won't be as good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/a-season-is-very-long-and-there-will-be-periods-where-you-ll-be-very/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [I've done everything to come back to Atletico, but I wouldn't fight the same to return. When Atletico didn't wait for me, I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/i-ve-done-everything-to-come-back-to-atletico-but-i-wouldn-t-fight/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [I can only watch calmly if the match is decided or my team are dominating. But I get passionate very easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/i-can-only-watch-calmly-if-the-match-is-decided-or-my-team-are/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [Obviously, I have to enjoy all I have. People depend on you, and now I can look back at everything I've gone through to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/obviously-i-have-to-enjoy-all-i-have-people-depend-on-you-and-now-i/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [You know when you have a manager that is always successful, is always in the title race and always playing in the Champions League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/you-know-when-you-have-a-manager-that-is-always-successful-is-always/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [I have to be extra careful, but I'm never going to change the way I play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/i-have-to-be-extra-careful-but-i-m-never-going-to-change-the-way-i/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [I want to be on the pitch, and I want to be cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/i-want-to-be-on-the-pitch-and-i-want-to-be-cool/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [Every striker has their way of playing and their strengths and a different team behind them. That is very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/every-striker-has-their-way-of-playing-and-their-strengths-and-a/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [On the pitch, I will always be like that. That's my character, and I will always compete and compete - always. I'm a different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/on-the-pitch-i-will-always-be-like-that-that-s-my-character-and-i/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [I want to be competitive; I want to run all over - I want to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/i-want-to-be-competitive-i-want-to-run-all-over-i-want-to-win/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [Always, when things don't go the way that everyone expects, people - the supporters as well - always look for someone to blame. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/always-when-things-don-t-go-the-way-that-everyone-expects-people-the/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [If you ask a million players who they would want as manager, they will come back with a top three list of Mourinho, Pep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/if-you-ask-a-million-players-who-they-would-want-as-manager-they-will/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [I'm just like that: I just always try to win, to get better, do my best, and it always annoys me to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/i-m-just-like-that-i-just-always-try-to-win-to-get-better-do-my-best/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) [Explore all 92 Diego Costa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) ## More Battle quotes > [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/) [Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/) > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [“Which people take the time to care for their souls, these days? I reckon not many. But...hear this: I think that maybe in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-fletcher/which-people-take-the-time-to-care-for-their-souls-these-days-i/) [Susan Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-fletcher/) > [Only great and general battles can produce great results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/only-great-and-general-battles-can-produce-great-results/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [Life is a battle of wits, and many people have to fight it unarmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/life-is-a-battle-of-wits-and-many-people-have-to-fight-it-unarmed/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [When I step into the batters box. The fans, the noise, the cheers, they all disappear. For that moment, the world is just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/when-i-step-into-the-batters-box-the-fans-the-noise-the-cheers-they/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [I knew Jimmy Dean. He tested for 'Battle Cry'. Paul Newman tested for 'Battle Cry'. I did nine tests to finally get that role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tab-hunter/i-knew-jimmy-dean-he-tested-for-battle-cry-paul-newman-tested-for/) [Tab Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tab-hunter/) > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Love is a battle," said Marie-Claude, still smiling. "And I plan to go on fighting. To the end." Love is a battle?" said Franz.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/love-is-a-battle-said-marie-claude-still-smiling-and-i-plan-to-go-on/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [It's almost ironic sitting here watching stories about Norm's courageous 'battle' with cancer. He actually did a bit on stage about how stupid that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/it-s-almost-ironic-sitting-here-watching-stories-about-norm-s/) [Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/) > [“Other folk thought the Rage was simple bloodlust, a berserk savagery that neither knew nor cared what its target was, and so it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-weber/other-folk-thought-the-rage-was-simple-bloodlust-a-berserk-savagery/) [David Weber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-weber/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [For many people it's Facebook, or sports on TV, whatever it is. I have my own demons that I battle. But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/) [Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/) [Browse all 4,526 Battle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Goals are what count for me. It's not about a battle with defenders. Fighting hard, giving everything and working hard on the field you have to combine with the goals you score. 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