--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For me, growing up, my main role model…" description: "\"For me, growing up, my main role model was Rio Ferdinand when he was playing with England. He was a centre half. I liked his style of play, and he play..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/joe-gomez-31090_half_for-me-growing-up-my-main-role-model-was_1850276.jpg" --- # For me, growing up, my main role model was Rio Ferdinand… ![“For me, growing up, my main role model was Rio Ferdinand when he was playing with England. He was a centre half. I liked his style of play, and he played with a lot of passion.” quote by Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/joe-gomez-31090_half_for-me-growing-up-my-main-role-model-was_1850276.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/joe-gomez-31090_half_for-me-growing-up-my-main-role-model-was_1850276.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/joe-gomez-31090_half_for-me-growing-up-my-main-role-model-was_1850276.jpg) > “For me, growing up, my main role model was Rio Ferdinand when he was playing with England. He was a centre half. I liked his style of play, and he played with a lot of passion.” [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker admired Rio Ferdinand’s passionate, disciplined defensive play and saw him as a role model growing up. **In simple terms:** Admired Ferdinand’s passion and style as a defensive player. Key Takeaway Emulate passion and discipline in your role. Themes role model passion defense football Mood admiring reflective Type sports personal growth When to use this quote - youth development - team sports - personal growth Key Concepts sportsmanship inspiration Questions to Reflect On - How can you develop both skill and passion? - What qualities beyond passion matter in role models? A Different Perspective Passion alone may not guarantee success without skill development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Role model](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-model/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) ## Related quotes > [I moved to Manchester United when I was a 17-year-old kid. Nemanja Vidic was five years older than me and Rio Ferdinand nearly nine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/i-moved-to-manchester-united-when-i-was-a-17-year-old-kid-nemanja/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [I had some very good players and some wonderful young players hitting the scene. Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Michael Owen - we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-hoddle/i-had-some-very-good-players-and-some-wonderful-young-players-hitting/) [Glenn Hoddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-hoddle/) > [Two English defenders were among the finest I played against: John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-forlan/two-english-defenders-were-among-the-finest-i-played-against-john/) [Diego Forlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-forlan/) > [Jermaine Defoe was from my area. Rio Ferdinand used to come into my barbershop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kano/jermaine-defoe-was-from-my-area-rio-ferdinand-used-to-come-into-my/) [Kano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kano/) > [Rio Ferdinand is the hardest opponent I have faced - strong and quick. He didn't kick you. He was so classy. I could do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinho/rio-ferdinand-is-the-hardest-opponent-i-have-faced-strong-and-quick/) [Robinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinho/) > [We had to support our player and genuinely felt, like Rio has said, that it was an honest mistake. It is important to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gill/we-had-to-support-our-player-and-genuinely-felt-like-rio-has-said/) [David Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gill/) > [The player I look up to is Rio Ferdinand. I have always played at the back, and I've always tried to base my game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/the-player-i-look-up-to-is-rio-ferdinand-i-have-always-played-at-the/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I like the way Frank Lampard articulates, like the fact Jamie Carragher really does his homework and the way Rio Ferdinand has been able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-scott/i-like-the-way-frank-lampard-articulates-like-the-fact-jamie/) [Alex Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-scott/) > [I've always said I aspire to follow the likes of John Terry, Michael Dawson and Rio Ferdinand. I always watch what they do and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-jones/i-ve-always-said-i-aspire-to-follow-the-likes-of-john-terry-michael/) [Phil Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-jones/) > [It's brilliant to be compared with such a player as Rio Ferdinand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/it-s-brilliant-to-be-compared-with-such-a-player-as-rio-ferdinand/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [Football is the most important thing in my life, but I do have a life outside football and this is one part. The TV,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rio-ferdinand/football-is-the-most-important-thing-in-my-life-but-i-do-have-a-life/) [Rio Ferdinand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rio-ferdinand/) > [Everyone has their own traits but if you are being compared to players like Rio Ferdinand then you must be doing something well and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-smalling/everyone-has-their-own-traits-but-if-you-are-being-compared-to/) [Chris Smalling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-smalling/) > [I don't think I would have any problem at all playing in England. I'd love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronaldo/i-don-t-think-i-would-have-any-problem-at-all-playing-in-england-i-d/) [Ronaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronaldo/) > [No disrespect to county cricket but when you're playing for England it is the ultimate, it is what has always driven me to push…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alastair-cook/no-disrespect-to-county-cricket-but-when-you-re-playing-for-england/) [Alastair Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alastair-cook/) > [I've just enjoyed playing for England - it's an amazing job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-anderson/i-ve-just-enjoyed-playing-for-england-it-s-an-amazing-job/) [James Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anderson/) ## More by Joe Gomez > [I am very much a boring guy anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/i-am-very-much-a-boring-guy-anyway/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [I've realised that being healthy and having the opportunity to play isn't something that everyone has all the time. I am lucky to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/i-ve-realised-that-being-healthy-and-having-the-opportunity-to-play/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [It means a lot to me to be from London. Obviously, it's where I spent the majority of my life, it's where I learnt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/it-means-a-lot-to-me-to-be-from-london-obviously-it-s-where-i-spent/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [Growing up in South London was what moulded me, really. I grew up in Caford, Lewisham. It just meant a lot of time playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/growing-up-in-south-london-was-what-moulded-me-really-i-grew-up-in/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [Coming here to Liverpool, with the history of playing young players, it was the place to go to if I was to move. They've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/coming-here-to-liverpool-with-the-history-of-playing-young-players-it/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [I think it's a natural progression: a lot of centre-backs start wide when they're young and move inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/i-think-it-s-a-natural-progression-a-lot-of-centre-backs-start-wide/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [You can get caught up in a lot of things playing for Liverpool. The main thing is to stay grounded. That's something I won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/you-can-get-caught-up-in-a-lot-of-things-playing-for-liverpool-the/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [I'm still a young player - I'm still learning - so all I can try to do is soak up what's around me, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/i-m-still-a-young-player-i-m-still-learning-so-all-i-can-try-to-do-is/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [It's about staying level-headed and being appreciative of the chances I got and the games I played but, at the same time, wanting more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/it-s-about-staying-level-headed-and-being-appreciative-of-the-chances/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [The key is to stay level headed. Not get too high with the highs. At the same time, you need to stay strong when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/the-key-is-to-stay-level-headed-not-get-too-high-with-the-highs-at/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [Every time you train, every time you play, it's an opportunity. You have to use them while you have them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/every-time-you-train-every-time-you-play-it-s-an-opportunity-you-have/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [I couldn't cook. I could put a pizza from Iceland in the oven, but that was it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/i-couldn-t-cook-i-could-put-a-pizza-from-iceland-in-the-oven-but-that/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [I know if I'm playing centre-back, there are certain places where you don't give your full-back the ball - because I've been the full-back!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/i-know-if-i-m-playing-centre-back-there-are-certain-places-where-you/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [Football means everything to me. It's been my life from four years old onwards. It's given me the best moments of my life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/football-means-everything-to-me-it-s-been-my-life-from-four-years-old/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [I don't want to build a reputation for just being able to take long throws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/i-don-t-want-to-build-a-reputation-for-just-being-able-to-take-long/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) [Explore all 16 Joe Gomez quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [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/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For me, growing up, my main role model was Rio Ferdinand when he was playing with England. 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