--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Football is not about suffering. It's…" description: "\"Football is not about suffering. It's about enjoyment. Control the ball, be friendly with it, try to attack, try to score goals. Of course defending is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71a/johan-cruyff-18429_control_football-is-not-about-suffering-it-s-abo_426222.jpg" --- # Football is not about suffering. It's about enjoyment… ![“Football is not about suffering. It's about enjoyment. Control the ball, be friendly with it, try to attack, try to score goals. Of course defending is part of it, but you can defend in a lot of ways.” quote by Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71a/johan-cruyff-18429_control_football-is-not-about-suffering-it-s-abo_426222.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71a/johan-cruyff-18429_control_football-is-not-about-suffering-it-s-abo_426222.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71a/johan-cruyff-18429_control_football-is-not-about-suffering-it-s-abo_426222.jpg) > “Football is not about suffering. It's about enjoyment. Control the ball, be friendly with it, try to attack, try to score goals. Of course defending is part of it, but you can defend in a lot of ways.” [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Football should be enjoyed, emphasizing skill and creativity over mere hardship. **In simple terms:** Enjoy the game, play creatively. Key Takeaway Focus on skill and joy. Themes sports joy creativity Mood inspirational practical Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - coaching - player mindset - training sessions Key Concepts teamwork strategy skill development Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance fun and discipline? - What role does creativity play in success? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on enjoyment may neglect discipline. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [I am always someone who follows the research more than my self-interest. It certainly has not been in my self-interest to defend men. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/i-am-always-someone-who-follows-the-research-more-than-my-self/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When I don't have control of the ball, what do I do? I press to get it back. It's a way of defending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/when-i-don-t-have-control-of-the-ball-what-do-i-do-i-press-to-get-it-2/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [When I don't have control of the ball, what do I do? I press to get it back. It's a way of defending. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/when-i-don-t-have-control-of-the-ball-what-do-i-do-i-press-to-get-it/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were exterminated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wurzelbacher/in-1911-turkey-established-gun-control-from-1915-to-1917-1-5-million/) [Joe Wurzelbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wurzelbacher/) > [“Defending your point of view while knowing that you are wrong is just like a person whose wisdom is being obstructed by his arrogance”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waqas-haider/defending-your-point-of-view-while-knowing-that-you-are-wrong-is-just/) Waqas Haider > [Passionately defending one's principles is crucial. Representing your district is fundamental. But refusing to entertain the common ground - with no other cost but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/passionately-defending-one-s-principles-is-crucial-representing-your/) [Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/) > [“No system was worth defending if it didn’t bend for its people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/no-system-was-worth-defending-if-it-didn-t-bend-for-its-people/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [Sometimes when you're defending people, you have to admit there was something that's not quite right, and that preserves some credibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-t-conway-iii/sometimes-when-you-re-defending-people-you-have-to-admit-there-was/) [George T. Conway III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-t-conway-iii/) > [Some people say there is a beauty about defending. Beauty is nice, but the most important thing is success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/some-people-say-there-is-a-beauty-about-defending-beauty-is-nice-but/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Sometimes I think they should set up an asylum for people like that... a whole slew of paparazzi defending their positions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-think-they-should-set-up-an-asylum-for-people-like-that-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Defending unpopular positions is what lawyers do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-clement/defending-unpopular-positions-is-what-lawyers-do/) Paul Clement > [My uncle, my dad always made sure I had guard skills. But as far as defending everybody, that wasn't really my mindset until my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/draymond-green/my-uncle-my-dad-always-made-sure-i-had-guard-skills-but-as-far-as/) [Draymond Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/draymond-green/) > [“Skeptics are always marked by their total lack of skepticism towards whatever position they are defending.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-madison/skeptics-are-always-marked-by-their-total-lack-of-skepticism-towards/) Steve Madison > [We believe in defending everyone's lives. We believe in defending everyone's property.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-milei/we-believe-in-defending-everyone-s-lives-we-believe-in-defending/) [Javier Milei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-milei/) > [“Assault!" he croaked. "The battery might yet follow." The warning- entirely unnecessary from Patience's perspective- came from Vane. One look at his face, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-laurens/assault-he-croaked-the-battery-might-yet-follow-the-warning-entirely/) [Stephanie Laurens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-laurens/) ## More by Johan Cruyff > [“If I wanted you to understand, I would explain it better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/if-i-wanted-you-to-understand-i-would-explain-it-better/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [For years, we have had many coaches in football, but there are no teachers anymore. And you see that in the play itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/for-years-we-have-had-many-coaches-in-football-but-there-are-no/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [Quality without results is pointless. Results without quality is boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/quality-without-results-is-pointless-results-without-quality-is-boring/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [If you look at other countries, you see they have different values: defend more, pass the ball out more, winning is holy. In England,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/if-you-look-at-other-countries-you-see-they-have-different-values/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [It's disappointing to see how football, the world's No. 1 sport, is not No. 1 when it comes to development. It seems to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/it-s-disappointing-to-see-how-football-the-world-s-no-1-sport-is-not/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [There is no greater medal than to be acclaimed for your style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/there-is-no-greater-medal-than-to-be-acclaimed-for-your-style/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [How can you create a team and bring all these egos together? The main goal for Manchester United is for them to play well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/how-can-you-create-a-team-and-bring-all-these-egos-together-the-main/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [Ajax is a multicultural club, and we have found that many talented immigrant players quit when they reach puberty. So we wanted to tackle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/ajax-is-a-multicultural-club-and-we-have-found-that-many-talented/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [Everybody could use the money, but you don't play for it - you play with your heart - and that's a big difference you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/everybody-could-use-the-money-but-you-don-t-play-for-it-you-play-with/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [I always delegate. If someone is very good at something, whatever it is, he will be in charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/i-always-delegate-if-someone-is-very-good-at-something-whatever-it-is/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [Football should never be a worry. It should be exciting. When a child plays football outside, he doesn't need to worry. Professionals should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/football-should-never-be-a-worry-it-should-be-exciting-when-a-child/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [When I don't have control of the ball, what do I do? I press to get it back. It's a way of defending. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/when-i-don-t-have-control-of-the-ball-what-do-i-do-i-press-to-get-it/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [I wanted to get my coaching badges after retiring, and I asked to take the exam, but they told me I needed to study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/i-wanted-to-get-my-coaching-badges-after-retiring-and-i-asked-to-take/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [The most important part are the fans, that people going home are happy. It's their time off, and you should give them something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/the-most-important-part-are-the-fans-that-people-going-home-are-happy/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) > [There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruyff/there-are-some-people-who-might-have-better-technique-than-me-and/) [Johan Cruyff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) [Explore all 35 Johan Cruyff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruyff/) ## More Control quotes > [We have to get control of our borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/we-have-to-get-control-of-our-borders/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“You can't control who loves you...you can't let someone love you anymore than you can make someone love you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/you-can-t-control-who-loves-you-you-can-t-let-someone-love-you/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [Don't think you can...know you can! You human body is the most impressive tool you'll ever own. Even if you can't control everything, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hardy/don-t-think-you-can-know-you-can-you-human-body-is-the-most/) [Jeff Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hardy/) > [If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-have-everything-under-control-you-re-not-moving-fast-enough/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [“Without time management, you lose control of your life and do what other people tell you to do. You lose control and become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-miller/without-time-management-you-lose-control-of-your-life-and-do-what/) Thomas Miller > [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/) [John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/) > [Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/many-of-us-rely-on-our-own-illusion-of-control-but-when-god-makes-it/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [“He who can destroy a thing has the real control of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/he-who-can-destroy-a-thing-has-the-real-control-of-it/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying or getting overly angry or to maintain control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-haysbert/sometimes-you-have-to-laugh-to-keep-from-crying-or-getting-overly/) [Dennis Haysbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-haysbert/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [Some nights I'm funny with the between-song commentary, some nights I'm not. I have no control over this. I pace the stage a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berman/some-nights-i-m-funny-with-the-between-song-commentary-some-nights-i/) [David Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berman/) > [“Control never be a means to any practical end. It can never be a means to anything but more control… Like punk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/control-never-be-a-means-to-any-practical-end-it-can-never-be-a-means/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) [Browse all 6,032 Control quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Football is not about suffering. It's about enjoyment. Control the ball, be friendly with it, try to attack, try to score goals. 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