--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There have been times when I've reflected…" description: "\"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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe8/gary-neville-12591_beckham_there-have-been-times-when-i-ve-reflecte_670471.jpg" --- # There have been times when I've reflected on my… ![“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.” quote by Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe8/gary-neville-12591_beckham_there-have-been-times-when-i-ve-reflecte_670471.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe8/gary-neville-12591_beckham_there-have-been-times-when-i-ve-reflecte_670471.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe8/gary-neville-12591_beckham_there-have-been-times-when-i-ve-reflecte_670471.jpg) > “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.” [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reflecting on an international career feels wasteful, especially after tragic events involving teammates and family. **In simple terms:** Career feels wasted amid personal and professional losses. Key Takeaway Find purpose beyond setbacks. Themes career regret loss Mood reflective melancholic Type personal motivational When to use this quote - post‑career planning - mental health counseling - public speaking Key Concepts legacy resilience personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What lessons can be drawn from failure? - How can one rebuild after loss? A Different Perspective May neglect positive achievements. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) [Waste of time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste-of-time/) [Wasting time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasting-time/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World cup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-cup/) ## Related quotes > [Historically, the host nations do well in Euro 2000.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/historically-the-host-nations-do-well-in-euro-2000/) [Trevor Brooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/) > [Argentina won't be at Euro 2000 because they're from South America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-keegan/argentina-won-t-be-at-euro-2000-because-they-re-from-south-america/) [Kevin Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-keegan/) > [The Italians are very strong defensively. They showed in Euro 2000 how good defensively they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hansen/the-italians-are-very-strong-defensively-they-showed-in-euro-2000-how/) [Alan Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hansen/) > [One of my biggest role models was David Beckham because of how he performed on and off the pitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-van-der-vaart/one-of-my-biggest-role-models-was-david-beckham-because-of-how-he/) [Rafael van der Vaart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-van-der-vaart/) > [He is such a great player that he has the capabilities to let no one affect his game. (on David Beckham)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-mcclaren/he-is-such-a-great-player-that-he-has-the-capabilities-to-let-no-one/) [Steve McClaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-mcclaren/) > [I could find David Beckham naked in a cardboard box on my doorstep and I would drop him off at the pound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-wilde/i-could-find-david-beckham-naked-in-a-cardboard-box-on-my-doorstep/) [Olivia Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-wilde/) > [I like to use the analogy of going to the gym. If you go to the gym and your goal is, 'I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-joachim/i-like-to-use-the-analogy-of-going-to-the-gym-if-you-go-to-the-gym/) [Mitchell Joachim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchell-joachim/) > [Luis Figo is totally different to David Beckham, and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-keegan/luis-figo-is-totally-different-to-david-beckham-and-vice-versa/) [Kevin Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-keegan/) > [Nothing is more important to England's arrangements for the World Cup than the state of David Beckham's foot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/nothing-is-more-important-to-england-s-arrangements-for-the-world-cup/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [David Beckham is not bigger than the Galaxy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexi-lalas/david-beckham-is-not-bigger-than-the-galaxy/) [Alexi Lalas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexi-lalas/) > [For me, the biggest champions out there are not just on the field, but also off the field. Some of the biggest champions around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-youngquest/for-me-the-biggest-champions-out-there-are-not-just-on-the-field-but/) [Nick Youngquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-youngquest/) > [He's a winner. There's no doubt about that, and it's stating the obvious to say that he's a tremendous talent. (on David Beckham)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-keegan/he-s-a-winner-there-s-no-doubt-about-that-and-it-s-stating-the/) [Kevin Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-keegan/) > [I know so many players who say they wouldn't entertain coaching, until they retire that is, and then they want to take their coaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-taylor/i-know-so-many-players-who-say-they-wouldn-t-entertain-coaching-until/) [Gordon Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-taylor/) > [When I'm lying in bed I think about the next collection. That makes me sound insane, doesn't it? That I'm getting into bed with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-beckham/when-i-m-lying-in-bed-i-think-about-the-next-collection-that-makes-me/) [Victoria Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-beckham/) > [He (David Beckham) does have a huge one, though. He does. You can see it in the advert. It is all his. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-beckham/he-david-beckham-does-have-a-huge-one-though-he-does-you-can-see-it/) [Victoria Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-beckham/) ## More by Gary Neville > [If Real Madrid land on Manchester airport, then the airport will be surely flooded just to see one player whom fans want most. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/if-real-madrid-land-on-manchester-airport-then-the-airport-will-be/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [Will any club dominate again? Are any club set up to dominate again? When you look at the clubs that have dominated they've usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/will-any-club-dominate-again-are-any-club-set-up-to-dominate-again/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [In Henry they had a forward so elusive that he was almost unplayable at his peak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/in-henry-they-had-a-forward-so-elusive-that-he-was-almost-unplayable/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [For sportsmen or women who want to be champions, the mind can be as important, if not more important, than any other part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/for-sportsmen-or-women-who-want-to-be-champions-the-mind-can-be-as/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [There are only four trophies available to win at the start of every season and there will be some big teams this year who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/there-are-only-four-trophies-available-to-win-at-the-start-of-every/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [When you join this club as a young player you know you've got a mountain to climb to get yourself into the first team.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/when-you-join-this-club-as-a-young-player-you-know-you-ve-got-a/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [A collection of strong-minded individuals who have learned how to dismiss mistakes, disappointments and problems in their personal life make up a strong team.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/a-collection-of-strong-minded-individuals-who-have-learned-how-to/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [And I know what confidence medals can bring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/and-i-know-what-confidence-medals-can-bring/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [While we're living the dreams we have as children fade away'. Not if you support United!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/while-we-re-living-the-dreams-we-have-as-children-fade-away-not-if/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [We need to become more ruthless and critical in front of goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/we-need-to-become-more-ruthless-and-critical-in-front-of-goal/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [I developed a mechanism so that whatever mistakes I made, I would bounce straight back. Whatever was happening off the pitch, I could put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/i-developed-a-mechanism-so-that-whatever-mistakes-i-made-i-would/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [It could end up like the Dog & Duck against the Red Lion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/it-could-end-up-like-the-dog-duck-against-the-red-lion/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [It is one of my pet hates when I see players who have agents who do everything for them. They don't know how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/it-is-one-of-my-pet-hates-when-i-see-players-who-have-agents-who-do/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [They're crying. It was Drogba, it was the angels, it was the heavens, it was the stars, it was the gods, it was everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/they-re-crying-it-was-drogba-it-was-the-angels-it-was-the-heavens-it/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [Before games, the smell of burgers wafts down from the stands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/before-games-the-smell-of-burgers-wafts-down-from-the-stands/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) [Explore all 54 Gary Neville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) ## More Beckham quotes > [He (David Beckham) does have a huge one, though. He does. You can see it in the advert. It is all his. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-beckham/he-david-beckham-does-have-a-huge-one-though-he-does-you-can-see-it/) [Victoria Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-beckham/) > [I feel like thanking Paul Dacre every time, because the reason they ask me is because they think I've come through the other end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alastair-campbell/i-feel-like-thanking-paul-dacre-every-time-because-the-reason-they/) [Alastair Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alastair-campbell/) > [When I'm lying in bed I think about the next collection. That makes me sound insane, doesn't it? That I'm getting into bed with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-beckham/when-i-m-lying-in-bed-i-think-about-the-next-collection-that-makes-me/) [Victoria Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-beckham/) > [I know so many players who say they wouldn't entertain coaching, until they retire that is, and then they want to take their coaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-taylor/i-know-so-many-players-who-say-they-wouldn-t-entertain-coaching-until/) [Gordon Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-taylor/) > [Poor Harper Seven Beckham, having to live with that name all her life. It's the Boy Named Sue syndrome; at the very least it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-hoggart/poor-harper-seven-beckham-having-to-live-with-that-name-all-her-life/) [Simon Hoggart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-hoggart/) > [He's a winner. There's no doubt about that, and it's stating the obvious to say that he's a tremendous talent. (on David Beckham)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-keegan/he-s-a-winner-there-s-no-doubt-about-that-and-it-s-stating-the/) [Kevin Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-keegan/) > [I thought Victoria Beckham was going to be one of those pop girls, but she's absolutely the complete opposite. She's a working girl. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manolo-blahnik/i-thought-victoria-beckham-was-going-to-be-one-of-those-pop-girls-but/) [Manolo Blahnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manolo-blahnik/) > [I really connect with Victoria Beckham's desire to do something that she wants to do. Of the girls we've been talking about, she's one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manolo-blahnik/i-really-connect-with-victoria-beckham-s-desire-to-do-something-that/) [Manolo Blahnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manolo-blahnik/) > [ \[F\]or the most part football these days is the opium of the people, not to speak of their crack cocaine. Its icon is the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/f-or-the-most-part-football-these-days-is-the-opium-of-the-people-not/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [It was the success of 'Bend it Like Beckham' which got my name out there. 'A Mighty Heart' also helped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-panjabi/it-was-the-success-of-bend-it-like-beckham-which-got-my-name-out/) [Archie Panjabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-panjabi/) > [For me, the biggest champions out there are not just on the field, but also off the field. Some of the biggest champions around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-youngquest/for-me-the-biggest-champions-out-there-are-not-just-on-the-field-but/) [Nick Youngquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-youngquest/) > [David Beckham is not bigger than the Galaxy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexi-lalas/david-beckham-is-not-bigger-than-the-galaxy/) [Alexi Lalas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexi-lalas/) > [Nothing is more important to England's arrangements for the World Cup than the state of David Beckham's foot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/nothing-is-more-important-to-england-s-arrangements-for-the-world-cup/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [Luis Figo is totally different to David Beckham, and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-keegan/luis-figo-is-totally-different-to-david-beckham-and-vice-versa/) [Kevin Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-keegan/) > [The midfield picks itself - Beckham, Scholes, Gerrard and A N Other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-neal/the-midfield-picks-itself-beckham-scholes-gerrard-and-a-n-other/) Phil Neal Browse all 82 Beckham quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There have been times when I've reflected on my international career and just thought: 'Well that was a massive waste of time.' 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