--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was young and playing on the…" description: "\"When I was young and playing on the streets I always played against older guys and they didn't back down, even when you were too good for them they wer..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/hakim-ziyech-12129_always_when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-stre_3095122.jpg" --- # When I was young and playing on the streets I always… ![“When I was young and playing on the streets I always played against older guys and they didn't back down, even when you were too good for them they were just kicking and those types of things make you hard as a person.” quote by Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/hakim-ziyech-12129_always_when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-stre_3095122.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/hakim-ziyech-12129_always_when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-stre_3095122.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/hakim-ziyech-12129_always_when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-stre_3095122.jpg) > “When I was young and playing on the streets I always played against older guys and they didn't back down, even when you were too good for them they were just kicking and those types of things make you hard as a person.” [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Facing stronger opponents early builds resilience and personal toughness. **In simple terms:** Playing against older players toughens you. Key Takeaway Seek challenging competition to grow. Themes sports personal development resilience competition Mood motivational pragmatic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - youth sports programs - mentor-led training - team building exercises - personal coaching - career advancement Key Concepts growth mindset mental toughness skill development Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance challenge with well‑being? - What lessons from tough matches apply elsewhere? A Different Perspective Not all challenges are constructive; risk of burnout exists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [I grew up playing in the streets. We played two-hand touch from street pole to street pole. That's how I learned the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-jenkins/i-grew-up-playing-in-the-streets-we-played-two-hand-touch-from-street/) [Malcolm Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-jenkins/) > [Things that happened in the past when I was younger, all this stuff when you're playing on the streets, it makes you hard as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/things-that-happened-in-the-past-when-i-was-younger-all-this-stuff/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [We hung out on the streets, played stickball, and did all of the things that other kids did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-cousy/we-hung-out-on-the-streets-played-stickball-and-did-all-of-the-things/) [Bob Cousy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-cousy/) > [Baseball I played literally from the time I can remember. My dad had played, my older brother played, so I always wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-hoechlin/baseball-i-played-literally-from-the-time-i-can-remember-my-dad-had/) [Tyler Hoechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-hoechlin/) > [As a kid, I wanted to be a pro tennis player. I was pretty good; at the tennis academies I attended, I always 'played…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-kuchar/as-a-kid-i-wanted-to-be-a-pro-tennis-player-i-was-pretty-good-at-the/) [Matt Kuchar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-kuchar/) > [At Atletico, I always played with older players, sometimes out of position. I'd keep going back until I beat them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-niguez/at-atletico-i-always-played-with-older-players-sometimes-out-of/) [Saul Niguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-niguez/) > [It definitely helped me because I've played with older kids my whole life. It just matured me quicker into the game, and it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-seager/it-definitely-helped-me-because-i-ve-played-with-older-kids-my-whole/) [Corey Seager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-seager/) > [Growing up playing on the streets, you made your name by talking mess and getting into people's heads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-miller/growing-up-playing-on-the-streets-you-made-your-name-by-talking-mess/) [Reggie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-miller/) > [I was always playing on the streets with my friends until I was 15 or 16 and I wanted to do things with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil-van-dijk/i-was-always-playing-on-the-streets-with-my-friends-until-i-was-15-or/) [Virgil van Dijk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil-van-dijk/) > [There lots of other kids playing in streets around this country today who are going to be dead tomorrow, and the next day, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-bundy/there-lots-of-other-kids-playing-in-streets-around-this-country-today/) [Ted Bundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-bundy/) > [There are children playing in the streets who could solve some of my top problems in physics, because they have modes of sensory perception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-robert-oppenheimer/there-are-children-playing-in-the-streets-who-could-solve-some-of-my/) [J. Robert Oppenheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-robert-oppenheimer/) > [Actually, I started off playing by ear and being around a bunch of musicians playing in the streets in the different parades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trombone-shorty/actually-i-started-off-playing-by-ear-and-being-around-a-bunch-of/) [Trombone Shorty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trombone-shorty/) > [Our country's growing obsession with organized sports isn't just hurting our children, but also our communities. As play is siphoned off to gyms and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darell-hammond/our-country-s-growing-obsession-with-organized-sports-isn-t-just/) [Darell Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darell-hammond/) > [I remember I'd be playing in the streets with friends, sometimes barefooted. I'd come home with sore feet, but wanting to do the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiago-silva/i-remember-i-d-be-playing-in-the-streets-with-friends-sometimes/) [Thiago Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiago-silva/) > [I started off playing by ear, and being around a bunch of musicians and playing in the streets and in the different parades and,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-andrews/i-started-off-playing-by-ear-and-being-around-a-bunch-of-musicians/) [Troy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-andrews/) ## More by Hakim Ziyech > [I have knowledge of people and I don't like fake people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/i-have-knowledge-of-people-and-i-don-t-like-fake-people/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [People always tell me the Premier League is a tough competition. Of course I know it is but I think they always said, 'you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/people-always-tell-me-the-premier-league-is-a-tough-competition-of/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [Chelsea is a very big and nice club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/chelsea-is-a-very-big-and-nice-club/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [I always believe in myself. I just keep pushing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/i-always-believe-in-myself-i-just-keep-pushing/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [I have a certain antenna with which I can filter exactly who is real and who is fake in one conversation. Who pretends and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/i-have-a-certain-antenna-with-which-i-can-filter-exactly-who-is-real/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [It means a lot to have qualified for the World Cup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/it-means-a-lot-to-have-qualified-for-the-world-cup/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [People who never speak to me do not experience me on a daily basis but talk about how I am put together. I call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/people-who-never-speak-to-me-do-not-experience-me-on-a-daily-basis/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [Galatasaray is over for me. I don't want to play here anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/galatasaray-is-over-for-me-i-don-t-want-to-play-here-anymore/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [My mum has not had an easy life. She was only 18 years old when she came to Holland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/my-mum-has-not-had-an-easy-life-she-was-only-18-years-old-when-she/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [I'm just myself, I don't pretend otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/i-m-just-myself-i-don-t-pretend-otherwise/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [In the end I always believe in myself and trust in myself and always believed in my own strengths, so it didn't really bother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/in-the-end-i-always-believe-in-myself-and-trust-in-myself-and-always/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [I'm not afraid to have my opinion; I always speak from my heart and what I am feeling, I am just saying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/i-m-not-afraid-to-have-my-opinion-i-always-speak-from-my-heart-and/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [I speak my mind, I demand explanations, I want a reason. That's why I am perhaps a difficult guy to work with. But that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/i-speak-my-mind-i-demand-explanations-i-want-a-reason-that-s-why-i-am/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [It doesn't matter who you are, if you have three defenders of course it is hard to find your space or whatever it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/it-doesn-t-matter-who-you-are-if-you-have-three-defenders-of-course/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) > [You don't always get what you deserve; you have to take that as a lesson and I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/you-don-t-always-get-what-you-deserve-you-have-to-take-that-as-a/) [Hakim Ziyech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) [Explore all 56 Hakim Ziyech quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was young and playing on the streets I always played against older guys and they didn't back down, even when you were too good for them they were just kicking and those types of things make you hard as a person.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hakim Ziyech" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-streets-i-always-played-against/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-streets-i-always-played-against/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/hakim-ziyech-12129_always_when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-stre_3095122.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/hakim-ziyech-12129_always_when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-stre_3095122.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/hakim-ziyech-12129_always_when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-stre_3095122.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was young and playing on the streets I always played against older guys and they didn't back down…” — Hakim Ziyech", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Hakim Ziyech", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-ziyech/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I was young and playing...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-streets-i-always-played-against/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-ziyech/when-i-was-young-and-playing-on-the-streets-i-always-played-against/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```