--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Playing for the national team is the…" description: "\"Playing for the national team is the highest accolade for me, as a player and as a person.\" — Jonas Valanciunas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/jonas-valanciunas-6169_football_playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-hig_789708.jpg" --- # Playing for the national team is the highest accolade for… ![“Playing for the national team is the highest accolade for me, as a player and as a person.” quote by Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/jonas-valanciunas-6169_football_playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-hig_789708.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/jonas-valanciunas-6169_football_playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-hig_789708.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/jonas-valanciunas-6169_football_playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-hig_789708.jpg) > “Playing for the national team is the highest accolade for me, as a player and as a person.” [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Representing one's country in sports is seen as the ultimate personal and professional honor. **In simple terms:** Playing for country is the top honor. Key Takeaway Cherish national representation and give your best. Themes pride achievement nationalism teamwork Mood proud determined Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - team selection - international competition - personal branding - community pride Key Concepts sports psychology identity public recognition Questions to Reflect On - How does national representation affect personal identity? - What responsibilities come with this honor? A Different Perspective National pressure can create stress and unrealistic expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [National team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-team/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) ## Related quotes > [I've always said that there's a bit of a different sense of pride when you're playing for your national team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-pulisic/i-ve-always-said-that-there-s-a-bit-of-a-different-sense-of-pride/) [Christian Pulisic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-pulisic/) > [I always look forward to playing for my national team, especially at a major tournament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luka-modric/i-always-look-forward-to-playing-for-my-national-team-especially-at-a/) [Luka Modric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luka-modric/) > [Playing with the national team is about pride. It's not about anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juancho-hernangomez/playing-with-the-national-team-is-about-pride-it-s-not-about-anything/) [Juancho Hernangomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juancho-hernangomez/) > [Of course there's going to be expectations when you're playing well in the national team. But you just have to deal with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-wilshere/of-course-there-s-going-to-be-expectations-when-you-re-playing-well/) [Jack Wilshere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-wilshere/) > [Players must understand that if they go after more lucrative contracts, then they forfeit their chances of playing in the national team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-seedorf/players-must-understand-that-if-they-go-after-more-lucrative/) [Clarence Seedorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-seedorf/) > [The PCB needs to be clear in its stance on players who have been involved in corruption and tarnishing the image of the country.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inzamam-ul-haq/the-pcb-needs-to-be-clear-in-its-stance-on-players-who-have-been/) [Inzamam-ul-Haq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inzamam-ul-haq/) > [I love playing with the national team. I love being here as much as I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-pulisic/i-love-playing-with-the-national-team-i-love-being-here-as-much-as-i/) [Christian Pulisic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-pulisic/) > [Playing for the national team is not the same as playing for your club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niko-kovac/playing-for-the-national-team-is-not-the-same-as-playing-for-your-club/) [Niko Kovac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niko-kovac/) > [I will keep playing for the national team until I feel I can't offer them anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kolo-toure/i-will-keep-playing-for-the-national-team-until-i-feel-i-can-t-offer/) [Kolo Toure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kolo-toure/) > [I think it would be pretty cool, whether it would be basketball or baseball, playing for a national team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-connaughton/i-think-it-would-be-pretty-cool-whether-it-would-be-basketball-or/) [Pat Connaughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-connaughton/) > [Obviously, none of us take for granted playing for the national team. None of us want to lose games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/weston-mckennie/obviously-none-of-us-take-for-granted-playing-for-the-national-team/) [Weston McKennie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/weston-mckennie/) > [You know, I want to be the uncommon one. I think it's pretty cool that I'm only 5'11", you know, and playing in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-wilson/you-know-i-want-to-be-the-uncommon-one-i-think-it-s-pretty-cool-that/) [Russell Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-wilson/) > [I personally cannot abandon my identity and my community to receive an accolade, and that's not to diminish the accolade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-r-fightmaster/i-personally-cannot-abandon-my-identity-and-my-community-to-receive/) [E. R. Fightmaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-r-fightmaster/) > [That accolade, to be the best at your position in your conference, you want that on your resume.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-kelce/that-accolade-to-be-the-best-at-your-position-in-your-conference-you/) [Travis Kelce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-kelce/) > [Somebody said to me, 'Whenever somebody says your name, a smile comes to their face.' That's a great accolade. I strive to keep it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-clemons/somebody-said-to-me-whenever-somebody-says-your-name-a-smile-comes-to/) [Clarence Clemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-clemons/) ## More by Jonas Valanciunas > [That's my job, to be inside the paint. I have to be comfortable. That's my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/that-s-my-job-to-be-inside-the-paint-i-have-to-be-comfortable-that-s/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [Do I want the ball more? No, I'm good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/do-i-want-the-ball-more-no-i-m-good/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I've got to find a way to see the open pass, find a way to see open teammates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-ve-got-to-find-a-way-to-see-the-open-pass-find-a-way-to-see-open/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm a basketball player, I want to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-a-basketball-player-i-want-to-play/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [When you sit down and look at your game, you try to find the areas where you can improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/when-you-sit-down-and-look-at-your-game-you-try-to-find-the-areas/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I've been raised not to back down from physicality. I have been working physical jobs when I was a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-ve-been-raised-not-to-back-down-from-physicality-i-have-been/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm looking forward to getting better, to be a better player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-looking-forward-to-getting-better-to-be-a-better-player/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I always play for my country when I can. It's a big honor for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-always-play-for-my-country-when-i-can-it-s-a-big-honor-for-me/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I always looked at it like the sky's the limit, that I'm never happy with myself, always trying to do more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-always-looked-at-it-like-the-sky-s-the-limit-that-i-m-never-happy/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [The goal is to be the best frontcourt in the NBA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/the-goal-is-to-be-the-best-frontcourt-in-the-nba/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm a chill person and a good-hearted guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-a-chill-person-and-a-good-hearted-guy/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I like fishing. We do all kinds of fun fishing trips.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-like-fishing-we-do-all-kinds-of-fun-fishing-trips/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm taking them when I have a chance and when my spacing gives it to me. Doesn't matter - could be one, three, four.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-taking-them-when-i-have-a-chance-and-when-my-spacing-gives-it-to/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I don't want to do crazy things, I want to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-don-t-want-to-do-crazy-things-i-want-to-win/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm trying to take experience out of every minute I spend on the court, trying to learn something new, to know about basketball more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-trying-to-take-experience-out-of-every-minute-i-spend-on-the/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) [Explore all 99 Jonas Valanciunas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) ## 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": "Playing for the national team is the highest accolade for me, as a player and as a person.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jonas Valanciunas" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-highest-accolade-for-me-as-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-highest-accolade-for-me-as-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/jonas-valanciunas-6169_football_playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-hig_789708.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/jonas-valanciunas-6169_football_playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-hig_789708.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/jonas-valanciunas-6169_football_playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-hig_789708.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Playing for the national team is the highest accolade for me, as a player and as a person.” — Jonas Valanciunas", "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": "Jonas Valanciunas", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Playing for the national team is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-highest-accolade-for-me-as-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/playing-for-the-national-team-is-the-highest-accolade-for-me-as-a/#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 } } ] } ```