--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I played soccer for nine years, so I took…" description: "\"I played soccer for nine years, so I took that route instead of singing. I played on the outside team as well as in school, so I was always playing soc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/ella-mai-13451_london_i-played-soccer-for-nine-years-so-i-took_1102025.jpg" --- # I played soccer for nine years, so I took that route… ![“I played soccer for nine years, so I took that route instead of singing. I played on the outside team as well as in school, so I was always playing soccer. It wasn't until I moved back to London that I really, like, started investing in music again and realized, OK, yeah, this is definitely what I…” quote by Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/ella-mai-13451_london_i-played-soccer-for-nine-years-so-i-took_1102025.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/ella-mai-13451_london_i-played-soccer-for-nine-years-so-i-took_1102025.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/ella-mai-13451_london_i-played-soccer-for-nine-years-so-i-took_1102025.jpg) > “I played soccer for nine years, so I took that route instead of singing. I played on the outside team as well as in school, so I was always playing soccer. It wasn't until I moved back to London that I really, like, started investing in music again and realized, OK, yeah, this is definitely what I want to do.” [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reflects on choosing soccer over music, then returning to music after a move, highlighting the pull of true passion. **In simple terms:** Choosing a sport, then returning to music later. Key Takeaway Follow your genuine passion despite detours. Themes career choices passion reassessment Mood reflective hopeful Type personal motivational When to use this quote - sports career - music industry - relocating abroad Key Concepts identity long‑term fulfillment life transitions Questions to Reflect On - What passion have you set aside? - How can you realign with it? A Different Perspective Changing paths can cause lost time and uncertainty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/london/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Realized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-realized-241687/) [Played Soccer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/played-soccer/) [Playing soccer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-soccer/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing/) [Soccer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soccer/) [Soccer Wasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soccer-wasn-1242396/) ## Related quotes > [The ball in the sock, dad giving throwdowns, anything I was doing then I was putting a lot of time into it - basketball,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-williamson/the-ball-in-the-sock-dad-giving-throwdowns-anything-i-was-doing-then/) [Kane Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-williamson/) > [In terms of soccer, it wasn't really a thing that girls did. In England it more kind of Net Ball and Hockey and stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parminder-nagra/in-terms-of-soccer-it-wasn-t-really-a-thing-that-girls-did-in-england/) [Parminder Nagra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parminder-nagra/) > [I did every sport and I played soccer in college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-marie/i-did-every-sport-and-i-played-soccer-in-college/) [Eva Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-marie/) > [I could have played soccer if I wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pascal-siakam/i-could-have-played-soccer-if-i-wanted/) [Pascal Siakam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pascal-siakam/) > [I used to play soccer when I was little, but everybody played soccer when they were little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-used-to-play-soccer-when-i-was-little-but-everybody-played-soccer/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [I played a lot of sports growing up. I played soccer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-vogel/i-played-a-lot-of-sports-growing-up-i-played-soccer/) [Frank Vogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-vogel/) > [Growing up, I played soccer and wanted to be a sportsman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranjeet/growing-up-i-played-soccer-and-wanted-to-be-a-sportsman/) [Ranjeet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranjeet/) > [All the kids in the cast tell me they hated high school, but I had the best time. I guess I was one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/all-the-kids-in-the-cast-tell-me-they-hated-high-school-but-i-had-the/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [When I was growing up, I didn't have too many people I looked up to that played soccer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ingram-ii/when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-too-many-people-i-looked-up-to/) [Mark Ingram II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ingram-ii/) > [My favorite postgame treat as a kid was the sliced oranges. We had those when I played soccer, too, at halftime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-bellinger/my-favorite-postgame-treat-as-a-kid-was-the-sliced-oranges-we-had/) [Cody Bellinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-bellinger/) > [The more people who come from abroad who played soccer and are brought up playing it and watching it, then come over to America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudio-reyna/the-more-people-who-come-from-abroad-who-played-soccer-and-are/) [Claudio Reyna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudio-reyna/) > [I wanted to play both things because I was really good at playing soccer. Maybe better than tennis. I chose tennis because it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-bautista-agut/i-wanted-to-play-both-things-because-i-was-really-good-at-playing/) [Roberto Bautista Agut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-bautista-agut/) > [He had an eternity to play that ball... but he took too long over it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-tyler/he-had-an-eternity-to-play-that-ball-but-he-took-too-long-over-it/) [Martin Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-tyler/) > [The natural thing in Africa is to start playing soccer at 8 or 9. You go outside and you play like kids play basketball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/the-natural-thing-in-africa-is-to-start-playing-soccer-at-8-or-9-you/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I always had that, even when I was a kid in a go-kart or when I was playing soccer or tennis: that need of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-alonso/i-always-had-that-even-when-i-was-a-kid-in-a-go-kart-or-when-i-was/) [Fernando Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-alonso/) ## More by Ella Mai > [There's a lot of young females doing R&B in England who are extremely talented and deserve more light on their stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/there-s-a-lot-of-young-females-doing-r-b-in-england-who-are-extremely/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [A lot of my music is about love. And that, of course, is super relatable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/a-lot-of-my-music-is-about-love-and-that-of-course-is-super-relatable/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [There's loads of eyes and expectations. People are almost waiting for you to make a mistake so they can say, 'Oh, she's a one-hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/there-s-loads-of-eyes-and-expectations-people-are-almost-waiting-for/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [From the end of 2015 to the start of 2016, I was always at the studio with Mustard, just figuring out a sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/from-the-end-of-2015-to-the-start-of-2016-i-was-always-at-the-studio/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [When I went into high school, I don't know why - because I've been performing since I was little - but I think it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/when-i-went-into-high-school-i-don-t-know-why-because-i-ve-been/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [The word 'album' makes you nervous, especially 'debut album.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/the-word-album-makes-you-nervous-especially-debut-album/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [L.A. is so slow. Everyone is so chill, and the weather, of course, makes everything better, but it's just a different vibe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/l-a-is-so-slow-everyone-is-so-chill-and-the-weather-of-course-makes/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [A lot of people say 'Boo'd Up' reminds them of '90s R&B. It has that feeling, which is why I think people take to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/a-lot-of-people-say-boo-d-up-reminds-them-of-90s-r-b-it-has-that/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [I love to color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/i-love-to-color/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [I was 12 years old when I first moved to New York, and at that age, you're trying to find yourself. It was hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/i-was-12-years-old-when-i-first-moved-to-new-york-and-at-that-age-you/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [I wanted to show people that I don't just make love songs that are about purely being in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/i-wanted-to-show-people-that-i-don-t-just-make-love-songs-that-are/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [I always felt like I could go to my mom and speak to her about anything. We have a great relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/i-always-felt-like-i-could-go-to-my-mom-and-speak-to-her-about/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [Sometimes we misinterpret, sometimes we misunderstand, sometimes we make mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/sometimes-we-misinterpret-sometimes-we-misunderstand-sometimes-we/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [People make careers off of Instagram. So in that sense, it's really good, and you can put yourself out there and be open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/people-make-careers-off-of-instagram-so-in-that-sense-it-s-really/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) > [I was a huge Lauryn Hill fan; that was all my mom would listen to in the car.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-mai/i-was-a-huge-lauryn-hill-fan-that-was-all-my-mom-would-listen-to-in/) [Ella Mai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) [Explore all 50 Ella Mai quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-mai/) ## More London quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [Hackney gets a bit of a bad rap, but it's the only place I've ever lived that felt like a community. I know my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-horgan/hackney-gets-a-bit-of-a-bad-rap-but-it-s-the-only-place-i-ve-ever/) [Sharon Horgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-horgan/) > [Everything is global now. It's not London, it's not Spain, it's not Italy - everything is everywhere. So you have to be everywhere, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manolo-blahnik/everything-is-global-now-it-s-not-london-it-s-not-spain-it-s-not/) [Manolo Blahnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manolo-blahnik/) > [Go to The Spaniards Inn on Hampstead Heath. It's an old-fashioned pub, and from there, you can look out over the London skyline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-quest/go-to-the-spaniards-inn-on-hampstead-heath-it-s-an-old-fashioned-pub/) [Richard Quest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-quest/) > [Global poverty is the product of reversible policy failures overseen by politicians, past and present. The poorest of the poor don't vote in American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-evans/global-poverty-is-the-product-of-reversible-policy-failures-overseen/) [Hugh Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-evans/) > [In that sense, I became politicized because the people in the coal mining villages who were involved in the struggle knew why they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bragg/in-that-sense-i-became-politicized-because-the-people-in-the-coal/) [Billy Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bragg/) > [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [London, from the architecture to the culture to the fashion to the accents, feels like it's a special place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-eazy/london-from-the-architecture-to-the-culture-to-the-fashion-to-the/) [G-Eazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-eazy/) > [Rien ne se peut comparer a' Paris. Nothing can compare to Paris.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eustache-deschamps/rien-ne-se-peut-comparer-a-paris-nothing-can-compare-to-paris/) [Eustache Deschamps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eustache-deschamps/) > [My parents and my sister always leave me over New Year, so I'm always on my own in London.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-dimoldenberg/my-parents-and-my-sister-always-leave-me-over-new-year-so-i-m-always/) [Amelia Dimoldenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-dimoldenberg/) > [Londoners are really good at dealing with any crap that's thrown at them. We hunker down, we grit our teeth and we get on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andi-oliver/londoners-are-really-good-at-dealing-with-any-crap-that-s-thrown-at/) [Andi Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andi-oliver/) > [Whether Theresa May had stabbed has stabbed the former Mayor of London in the back and Michael Gove had stabbed him in the front.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-evans/whether-theresa-may-had-stabbed-has-stabbed-the-former-mayor-of/) [Nigel Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-evans/) > [I don't think it's any different if I'm in the U.S. or in London. I look at operations globally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shahid-khan/i-don-t-think-it-s-any-different-if-i-m-in-the-u-s-or-in-london-i/) [Shahid Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahid-khan/) > [When I was a kid in London there was just something about the light and there's something about the way London went onto film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-monahan/when-i-was-a-kid-in-london-there-was-just-something-about-the-light/) [William Monahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-monahan/) > [I miss my kids, and they miss me. It's very difficult, but I have to do it for my country and fulfill my dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kom/i-miss-my-kids-and-they-miss-me-it-s-very-difficult-but-i-have-to-do/) [Mary Kom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kom/) [Browse all 3,850 London quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/london/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I played soccer for nine years, so I took that route instead of singing. I played on the outside team as well as in school, so I was always playing soccer. 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