--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I like to have the ball and control the…" description: "\"I like to have the ball and control the game.\" — Joao Moutinho" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/joao-moutinho-12919_ball_i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the_3216052.jpg" --- # I like to have the ball and control the game. ![“I like to have the ball and control the game.” quote by Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/joao-moutinho-12919_ball_i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the_3216052.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/joao-moutinho-12919_ball_i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the_3216052.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/joao-moutinho-12919_ball_i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the_3216052.jpg) > “I like to have the ball and control the game.” [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He values possession and directing play, seeing control as essential to success. **In simple terms:** He likes to keep the ball and lead the game. Key Takeaway Focus on possession to dominate. Themes teamwork leadership strategy Mood confident determined Type sports motivational When to use this quote - football matches - training drills - team tactics Key Concepts ball control game management Questions to Reflect On - How does ball control influence team confidence? - When should you prioritize passing over shooting? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on possession may neglect defensive balance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) ## Related quotes > [If you run the ball, you control the clock. If you control the clock, you usually control the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiki-barber/if-you-run-the-ball-you-control-the-clock-if-you-control-the-clock/) [Tiki Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiki-barber/) > [Rushing the ball is all about ball control. If you run the ball, you control the clock. If you control the clock, you usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiki-barber/rushing-the-ball-is-all-about-ball-control-if-you-run-the-ball-you/) [Tiki Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiki-barber/) > [You try to take advantage of taking control of the game when you know you may have guys on base and counts aren't in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cain/you-try-to-take-advantage-of-taking-control-of-the-game-when-you-know/) [Matt Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cain/) > [The way I play, I'm always moving. I like to move the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luol-deng/the-way-i-play-i-m-always-moving-i-like-to-move-the-ball/) [Luol Deng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luol-deng/) > [I bowl so slowly that if I don't like a ball I can run after it and bring it back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-barrie/i-bowl-so-slowly-that-if-i-don-t-like-a-ball-i-can-run-after-it-and/) [James M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-barrie/) > [I try to get early contact and keep it on the ground. I like to keep the ball down as much as I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerrit-cole/i-try-to-get-early-contact-and-keep-it-on-the-ground-i-like-to-keep/) [Gerrit Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerrit-cole/) > [Watch me, and I only really like the ball into feet. I don't like running in behind so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-grealish/watch-me-and-i-only-really-like-the-ball-into-feet-i-don-t-like/) [Jack Grealish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-grealish/) > [Life is like a ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-like-a-ball/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I would definitely like the ball as much as possible... That's why I train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-mccaffrey/i-would-definitely-like-the-ball-as-much-as-possible-that-s-why-i/) [Christian McCaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-mccaffrey/) > [Sometimes in a match, when things get tight, you want to feel like you can swing out on the ball and still have control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-anderson/sometimes-in-a-match-when-things-get-tight-you-want-to-feel-like-you/) [Kevin Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-anderson/) > [When you control the ball you control the score](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pel/when-you-control-the-ball-you-control-the-score/) [Pele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pel/) > [I always try to find the solution before I receive the ball. Afterwards, I have to control it and to pass it. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-kimmich/i-always-try-to-find-the-solution-before-i-receive-the-ball/) [Joshua Kimmich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-kimmich/) > [I can't throw myself the ball. All I can control is running my routes and making my catches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davante-adams/i-can-t-throw-myself-the-ball-all-i-can-control-is-running-my-routes/) [Davante Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davante-adams/) > [In chess one cannot control everything. Sometimes a game takes an unexpected turn, in which beauty begins to emerge. Both players are always instrumental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-kramnik/in-chess-one-cannot-control-everything-sometimes-a-game-takes-an/) [Vladimir Kramnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-kramnik/) > [I can control my attitude, and I can control my game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-woodland/i-can-control-my-attitude-and-i-can-control-my-game/) [Gary Woodland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-woodland/) ## More by Joao Moutinho > [We enjoy what we do and, for me, playing football is the best work in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/we-enjoy-what-we-do-and-for-me-playing-football-is-the-best-work-in/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [When I have the ball I try to see as much of the pitch as possible, and movement off the ball helps you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/when-i-have-the-ball-i-try-to-see-as-much-of-the-pitch-as-possible/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [I like playing more than training so I try to be fit to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/i-like-playing-more-than-training-so-i-try-to-be-fit-to-play/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [If I score, the better. But if everyone could choose, they would choose to win and not to score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/if-i-score-the-better-but-if-everyone-could-choose-they-would-choose/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [Ronaldo and Messi, those are the two best players in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/ronaldo-and-messi-those-are-the-two-best-players-in-the-world/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [I do not like to talk about luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/i-do-not-like-to-talk-about-luck/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [What I keep trying in my mind is to work hard in the week to be better for the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/what-i-keep-trying-in-my-mind-is-to-work-hard-in-the-week-to-be/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [The Premier League is the best in the world. It is fascinating because of all the teams, the atmosphere and stadiums. The football is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/the-premier-league-is-the-best-in-the-world-it-is-fascinating-because/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [I changed Portugal to France and France to England.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/i-changed-portugal-to-france-and-france-to-england/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [I want to play for a team that plays every competition to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/i-want-to-play-for-a-team-that-plays-every-competition-to-win/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [I don't like to lose, no matter what I am playing. Football, tennis, head tennis, no matter what. If I am playing something, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/i-don-t-like-to-lose-no-matter-what-i-am-playing-football-tennis-head/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [Believe in yourself and believe in your dreams. Follow them, never give up, that's the most important thing. If you believe you can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/believe-in-yourself-and-believe-in-your-dreams-follow-them-never-give/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [Porto is a club which offers maximum stability to help me show my best level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/porto-is-a-club-which-offers-maximum-stability-to-help-me-show-my/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [If I'm on the field I will give my best to help the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/if-i-m-on-the-field-i-will-give-my-best-to-help-the-team/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [It's true I was interested in going to Everton, but I didn't accept the offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/it-s-true-i-was-interested-in-going-to-everton-but-i-didn-t-accept/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) [Explore all 52 Joao Moutinho quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) ## More Ball quotes > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [Sometimes in midfield, it's nice because you do get a little bit more of the ball, and maybe out wide you rely on people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/sometimes-in-midfield-it-s-nice-because-you-do-get-a-little-bit-more/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) > [After '8 Mile' came out and blew up, the ball has been rolling ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-benson-miller/after-8-mile-came-out-and-blew-up-the-ball-has-been-rolling-ever-since/) [Omar Benson Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-benson-miller/) > [I don't believe in moral victories. I don't think in pro ball they exist, and they shouldn't exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-witten/i-don-t-believe-in-moral-victories-i-don-t-think-in-pro-ball-they/) [Jason Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-witten/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [In Memphis we don't talk. We ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-conley-jr/in-memphis-we-don-t-talk-we-ball/) [Mike Conley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-conley-jr/) > [Football is not just all about throwing the ball. You got to run the ball, too. Defense has to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/football-is-not-just-all-about-throwing-the-ball-you-got-to-run-the/) [Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/) > [I'm good with the ball, I can score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-bergwijn/i-m-good-with-the-ball-i-can-score/) [Steven Bergwijn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-bergwijn/) > [The golf ball doesn't care about know how hard you're working, or how many hours you slept that night. It only matters, what speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-hovland/the-golf-ball-doesn-t-care-about-know-how-hard-you-re-working-or-how/) [Viktor Hovland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-hovland/) > [Throwing a ball is not natural, whether it's overhand or underhand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-finch/throwing-a-ball-is-not-natural-whether-it-s-overhand-or-underhand/) [Jennie Finch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennie-finch/) > [I have to chase down the most scientifically efficient way to get the golf ball in the hole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryson-dechambeau/i-have-to-chase-down-the-most-scientifically-efficient-way-to-get-the/) [Bryson DeChambeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryson-dechambeau/) > [I dislike the gym, but I'll chase a tennis ball all day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-kuchar/i-dislike-the-gym-but-i-ll-chase-a-tennis-ball-all-day/) [Matt Kuchar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-kuchar/) > [There's one ball on the field, and that ball is mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-mendoza/there-s-one-ball-on-the-field-and-that-ball-is-mine/) Salvador Mendoza Browse all 1,822 Ball quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I like to have the ball and control the game.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joao Moutinho" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the-game/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ball" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the-game/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/joao-moutinho-12919_ball_i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the_3216052.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/joao-moutinho-12919_ball_i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the_3216052.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/joao-moutinho-12919_ball_i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the_3216052.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I like to have the ball and control the game.” — Joao Moutinho", "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": "Joao Moutinho", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I like to have the ball...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the-game/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/i-like-to-have-the-ball-and-control-the-game/#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 } } ] } ```