--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was 17 years old and missed many things…" description: "\"I was 17 years old and missed many things about Barcelona, particularly the food. Fortunately, Sir Alex Ferguson realised my situation and helped me to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/gerard-pique-4979_barcelona_i-was-17-years-old-and-missed-many-thing_862192.jpg" --- # I was 17 years old and missed many things about Barcelona… ![“I was 17 years old and missed many things about Barcelona, particularly the food. Fortunately, Sir Alex Ferguson realised my situation and helped me to grow. For me, the gaffer was like a second father.” quote by Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/gerard-pique-4979_barcelona_i-was-17-years-old-and-missed-many-thing_862192.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/gerard-pique-4979_barcelona_i-was-17-years-old-and-missed-many-thing_862192.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/gerard-pique-4979_barcelona_i-was-17-years-old-and-missed-many-thing_862192.jpg) > “I was 17 years old and missed many things about Barcelona, particularly the food. Fortunately, Sir Alex Ferguson realised my situation and helped me to grow. For me, the gaffer was like a second father.” [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A young player missed cultural experiences, but mentorship from a seasoned leader helped him develop personally and professionally. **In simple terms:** Mentor guidance fills gaps. Key Takeaway Seek mentors early. Themes growth mentorship culture football personal development Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational personal development When to use this quote - Adapting to new city - learning local customs - building confidence - overcoming loneliness Key Concepts Leadership cultural immersion career guidance Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify a mentor who aligns with your values? - What steps can you take when mentorship is unavailable? A Different Perspective Mentor may not fully understand personal struggles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barcelona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barcelona/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ## Related quotes > [It was hell to go through what I went through. I didn't know I had so many friends. Many people gave a damn about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/it-was-hell-to-go-through-what-i-went-through-i-didn-t-know-i-had-so/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [I am proud to have been part of a Sir Alex Ferguson team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/i-am-proud-to-have-been-part-of-a-sir-alex-ferguson-team/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [All the losses that I had, I think they were important, just because it helped me grow as a fighter, helped me grow as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashad-evans/all-the-losses-that-i-had-i-think-they-were-important-just-because-it/) [Rashad Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashad-evans/) > [I think just the film aspect of the game has really helped me grow as a player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-drummond/i-think-just-the-film-aspect-of-the-game-has-really-helped-me-grow-as/) [Andre Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-drummond/) > [Staying low, not dipping the basketball, being efficient on my jabs and movements - paying attention to these things helped me grow and made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-barnes/staying-low-not-dipping-the-basketball-being-efficient-on-my-jabs-and/) [Harrison Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-barnes/) > [My profession has helped me to grow up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-profession-has-helped-me-to-grow-up/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Over the last three years, UCLA has helped me grow as an athlete, a scholar, and a member of the community. I have made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-rosen/over-the-last-three-years-ucla-has-helped-me-grow-as-an-athlete-a/) [Josh Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-rosen/) > [Looking back.. tough times made me stronger, the challenges helped me grow and the sorrows taught me the value of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/looking-back-tough-times-made-me-stronger-the-challenges-helped-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [At that point I was working with a producer, so I was really attached to my producer and looking to him for guidance. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yung-berg/at-that-point-i-was-working-with-a-producer-so-i-was-really-attached/) [Yung Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yung-berg/) > [I started to see acting as a real science. That really helped me grow as an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lewis/i-started-to-see-acting-as-a-real-science-that-really-helped-me-grow/) [Matthew Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lewis/) > [My past has helped me grow as a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-winget/my-past-has-helped-me-grow-as-a-person/) [Jennifer Winget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-winget/) > [I've been lucky to have great coaching, great teammates, and a desire to keep getting better. That, slowly over time, helped me grow from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stockton/i-ve-been-lucky-to-have-great-coaching-great-teammates-and-a-desire/) [John Stockton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stockton/) > [Mourinho helped me grow. He taught me to be patient, to keep fighting, and to respect the coach's decisions. He helped me mature and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaka/mourinho-helped-me-grow-he-taught-me-to-be-patient-to-keep-fighting/) [Kaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaka/) > [Being the only man in the household with my mom definitely helped me grow up fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebron-james/being-the-only-man-in-the-household-with-my-mom-definitely-helped-me/) [LeBron James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebron-james/) > [Being part of the India 'A' team has helped me grow as an all-rounder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/being-part-of-the-india-a-team-has-helped-me-grow-as-an-all-rounder/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) ## More by Gerard Pique > [I've done most of my career with Barca, with the exception of the period I played for Manchester United.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/i-ve-done-most-of-my-career-with-barca-with-the-exception-of-the/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [Not everything, always, is about your performance. It's about the team performance. When the team is not playing well, then normally, you will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/not-everything-always-is-about-your-performance-it-s-about-the-team/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [He is an example of a La Masia player. Technically he is unbelievable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/he-is-an-example-of-a-la-masia-player-technically-he-is-unbelievable/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [Being called up to the national team is about going with them, playing the best you possibly can, and trying to win. That's how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/being-called-up-to-the-national-team-is-about-going-with-them-playing/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [Football is a very passionate world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/football-is-a-very-passionate-world/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [Politics is always a difficult thing to talk about because, like football, the views are radical. You think this way; that guy thinks the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/politics-is-always-a-difficult-thing-to-talk-about-because-like/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [I want to be president of Barcelona - that's my dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/i-want-to-be-president-of-barcelona-that-s-my-dream/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [If you stop now and start to realise what you have achieved, then you start to relax, and you start to lose. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/if-you-stop-now-and-start-to-realise-what-you-have-achieved-then-you/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona is very big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/the-rivalry-between-real-madrid-and-barcelona-is-very-big/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [As a teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo is a perfect '10.' I admire him professionally because he sets an example to follow both as a player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/as-a-teammate-cristiano-ronaldo-is-a-perfect-10-i-admire-him/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [To have the chance to win the treble is very good and rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/to-have-the-chance-to-win-the-treble-is-very-good-and-rare/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [In a match between Barca and Madrid, there are no favourites. It does not matter how they have been faring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/in-a-match-between-barca-and-madrid-there-are-no-favourites-it-does/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [I think that every day, more and more people are conscious of what Barca is, that Barca is a global brand, and you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/i-think-that-every-day-more-and-more-people-are-conscious-of-what/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [I would prefer to keep my distance a bit from the cameras. I want to keep a private life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/i-would-prefer-to-keep-my-distance-a-bit-from-the-cameras-i-want-to/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [Arbeloa said he was my friend, but I don't consider him my friend - maybe someone I know, but not my friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/arbeloa-said-he-was-my-friend-but-i-don-t-consider-him-my-friend/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) [Explore all 104 Gerard Pique quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) ## More Barcelona quotes > [I want to concentrate on winning things with Barcelona and Argentina. Then if people want to say nice things about me when I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-want-to-concentrate-on-winning-things-with-barcelona-and-argentina/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I've played lots of games carrying an injury, but people don't value what I do for Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rivaldo/i-ve-played-lots-of-games-carrying-an-injury-but-people-don-t-value/) [Rivaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rivaldo/) > [Sometimes there's too much noise about what's happening, but this is Barcelona - it is a big club. Sometimes people make more of things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernesto-valverde/sometimes-there-s-too-much-noise-about-what-s-happening-but-this-is/) [Ernesto Valverde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernesto-valverde/) > [You never know what the future has in store, but if possible I'd like to hang up my boots at Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordi-alba/you-never-know-what-the-future-has-in-store-but-if-possible-i-d-like/) [Jordi Alba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordi-alba/) > [ The fact that an Englishman has an Argentinian as an idol is very rare. I keep watching my \[title-winning\] goal against QPR and every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-aguero/the-fact-that-an-englishman-has-an-argentinian-as-an-idol-is-very/) [Sergio Aguero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-aguero/) > [Leo Messi is the best player in the world for me, but look at the others that have been at Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-messi-is-the-best-player-in-the-world-for-me-but-look-at-the/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [My best has to be for Barcelona against Villarreal in 2006 - that is the one I am asked most about, and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronaldinho/my-best-has-to-be-for-barcelona-against-villarreal-in-2006-that-is/) [Ronaldinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronaldinho/) > [In my childhood, I always played as Barcelona on the PlayStation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-reus/in-my-childhood-i-always-played-as-barcelona-on-the-playstation/) [Marco Reus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-reus/) > [Guardiola won so many trophies at Barcelona that he had a huge impact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/guardiola-won-so-many-trophies-at-barcelona-that-he-had-a-huge-impact/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) > [I am very happy that a great club like Barcelona is interested in me, as that is priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulinho/i-am-very-happy-that-a-great-club-like-barcelona-is-interested-in-me/) [Paulinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulinho/) > [Decisions are for the brave, and I am the bravest, deciding to leave Barcelona and Juventus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-alves/decisions-are-for-the-brave-and-i-am-the-bravest-deciding-to-leave/) [Dani Alves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-alves/) > [I'm very fortunate to have worked at two unbelievable clubs, Manchester City and Barcelona, and I feel like I've really changed the way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-duggan/i-m-very-fortunate-to-have-worked-at-two-unbelievable-clubs/) [Toni Duggan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-duggan/) > [The haunting of history is ever present in Barcelona. I see cities as organisms, as living creatures. To me, Madrid is a man and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/the-haunting-of-history-is-ever-present-in-barcelona-i-see-cities-as/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [If Messi didn't have it clearly in his head that Barcelona have a winning project, maybe he would go, but Barcelona are always looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quique-setien/if-messi-didn-t-have-it-clearly-in-his-head-that-barcelona-have-a/) [Quique Setien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quique-setien/) > [I first went to Barcelona in 1975 after university, and I stayed for three years. I learnt Catalan because that's what everyone speaks in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colm-toibin/i-first-went-to-barcelona-in-1975-after-university-and-i-stayed-for/) [Colm Toibin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colm-toibin/) [Browse all 571 Barcelona quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barcelona/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was 17 years old and missed many things about Barcelona, particularly the food. Fortunately, Sir Alex Ferguson realised my situation and helped me to grow. 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