--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Many years ago when I first started my…" description: "\"Many years ago when I first started my career Maradona told me \"to enjoy and play as you know\", and that's stayed with me ever since and is the best ad..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a22/lionel-messi-4898_advice_many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-c_2519993.jpg" --- # Many years ago when I first started my career Maradona… ![“Many years ago when I first started my career Maradona told me "to enjoy and play as you know", and that's stayed with me ever since and is the best advice I've been given.” quote by Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a22/lionel-messi-4898_advice_many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-c_2519993.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a22/lionel-messi-4898_advice_many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-c_2519993.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a22/lionel-messi-4898_advice_many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-c_2519993.jpg) > “Many years ago when I first started my career Maradona told me "to enjoy and play as you know", and that's stayed with me ever since and is the best advice I've been given.” [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Maradona advised him to play with joy and authenticity, a principle that has guided his career. **In simple terms:** Play with joy and stay true to yourself. Key Takeaway Play with joy and stay true. Themes sports personal growth authenticity joy Mood inspirational motivational Type advice personal When to use this quote - coaching - team building - personal development Key Concepts self‑expression mindful play Questions to Reflect On - How does joy affect performance? - What does authenticity mean on the field? A Different Perspective Joyful play may clash with competitive pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Best advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-advice/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [I am very good at being told off and rather enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-hopkins/i-am-very-good-at-being-told-off-and-rather-enjoy-it/) [Katie Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-hopkins/) > [We are constantly told to enjoy Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo before they retire but what about Arjen Robben?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/we-are-constantly-told-to-enjoy-lionel-messi-and-cristiano-ronaldo/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [My parents always told me that I should enjoy my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esha-deol/my-parents-always-told-me-that-i-should-enjoy-my-work/) [Esha Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esha-deol/) > [When I started to play tennis my mum told me to enjoy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gael-monfils/when-i-started-to-play-tennis-my-mum-told-me-to-enjoy/) [Gael Monfils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gael-monfils/) > [“He called me "Bubbles," a pet name he had chosen, he told me, because I seemed to enjoy so many things. Anxious to confirm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/he-called-me-bubbles-a-pet-name-he-had-chosen-he-told-me-because-i/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [Football is a welcome relief, you get to go out and enjoy it and play like you did when you were a child again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mullin/football-is-a-welcome-relief-you-get-to-go-out-and-enjoy-it-and-play/) [Paul Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mullin/) > [Whenever you enjoy it, you always play the best football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-carney/whenever-you-enjoy-it-you-always-play-the-best-football/) [Karen Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-carney/) > [Xavi told me to play to enjoy it, to play with happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-felix/xavi-told-me-to-play-to-enjoy-it-to-play-with-happiness/) [Joao Felix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-felix/) > [I've seen some terrible plays, but I generally enjoy myself. One play I walked out of, I have a tremendous respect for the author.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-wilson/i-ve-seen-some-terrible-plays-but-i-generally-enjoy-myself-one-play-i/) [August Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-wilson/) > [Apart from that Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lehrer/apart-from-that-mrs-lincoln-how-did-you-enjoy-the-play/) [Tom Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lehrer/) > [I just enjoy and play my football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bukayo-saka/i-just-enjoy-and-play-my-football/) [Bukayo Saka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bukayo-saka/) > [I'm confident in my ability, and I just try to enjoy myself when I play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-loftus-cheek/i-m-confident-in-my-ability-and-i-just-try-to-enjoy-myself-when-i-play/) [Ruben Loftus-Cheek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-loftus-cheek/) > [I think its easy to enjoy anywhere that you play where you feel like you got a chance to win a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lehman/i-think-its-easy-to-enjoy-anywhere-that-you-play-where-you-feel-like/) [Tom Lehman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lehman/) > [I think it's easy to enjoy anywhere that you play where you feel like you got a chance to win a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lehman/i-think-it-s-easy-to-enjoy-anywhere-that-you-play-where-you-feel-like/) [Tom Lehman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lehman/) > [Virtue is something you have to get good at, like playing the trombone or tolerating bores at parties. Being a virtuous human being takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/virtue-is-something-you-have-to-get-good-at-like-playing-the-trombone/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) ## More by Lionel Messi > [I want to concentrate on winning things with Barcelona and Argentina. Then if people want to say nice things about me when I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-want-to-concentrate-on-winning-things-with-barcelona-and-argentina/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I can only speak from experience but he was one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against. Barcelona players are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-can-only-speak-from-experience-but-he-was-one-of-the-most-dangerous/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I'm lucky to be part of a team who help to make me look good, and they deserve as much of the credit for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-m-lucky-to-be-part-of-a-team-who-help-to-make-me-look-good-and-they/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [There's nothing more satisfying than seeing a happy and smiling child. I always help in any way I can, even if it's just by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/there-s-nothing-more-satisfying-than-seeing-a-happy-and-smiling-child/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I have fun like a child in the street. When the day comes when I'm not enjoying it, I will leave football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-have-fun-like-a-child-in-the-street-when-the-day-comes-when-i-m-not/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I am more worried about being a good person than being the best football player in the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-am-more-worried-about-being-a-good-person-than-being-the-best/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [From the age of three, I played every day-morning, afternoon and night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/from-the-age-of-three-i-played-every-day-morning-afternoon-and-night/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [Being named among the best at something is special and beautiful. But if there are no titles, nothing is won.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/being-named-among-the-best-at-something-is-special-and-beautiful-but/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [What's truly important is that we stay on this course. We have to keep on winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/what-s-truly-important-is-that-we-stay-on-this-course-we-have-to-keep/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I never think about the play or visualize anything. I do what comes to me at that moment. Instinct. It has always been that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-never-think-about-the-play-or-visualize-anything-i-do-what-comes-to/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I NEVER LOOK BACK AT WHAT I HAVE ACHIEVED BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS LOOKING AT THE FUTURE. I CAN LOOK BACK AT WHAT I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-never-look-back-at-what-i-have-achieved-because-i-am-always-looking/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [Of course money takes that worry out of your life and enables you to provide for your family - but if it was playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/of-course-money-takes-that-worry-out-of-your-life-and-enables-you-to/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I will always remember that. English clubs are physical and tough, and they play strong for the whole game. But afterwards they shake hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-will-always-remember-that-english-clubs-are-physical-and-tough-and/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I've always really just liked football, and I've always devoted a lot of time to it. When I was a kid, my friends would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-ve-always-really-just-liked-football-and-i-ve-always-devoted-a-lot/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [Fatherhood changes you completely. If things didn't go my way before, I became withdrawn and didn't want to see or listen to anyone. Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/fatherhood-changes-you-completely-if-things-didn-t-go-my-way-before-i/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) [Explore all 105 Lionel Messi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) ## More Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) Mak\_786 > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/if-your-clothes-are-enough-to-drive-would-be-friends-away-they-re-not/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. 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He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingsley-coman/my-relationship-with-ibrahimovic-was-completely-neutral-he-is-not-the/) [Kingsley Coman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingsley-coman/) [Browse all 8,535 Advice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Many years ago when I first started my career Maradona told me \"to enjoy and play as you know\", and that's stayed with me ever since and is the best advice I've been given.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lionel Messi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-career-maradona-told-me-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Advice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-career-maradona-told-me-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a22/lionel-messi-4898_advice_many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-c_2519993.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a22/lionel-messi-4898_advice_many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-c_2519993.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a22/lionel-messi-4898_advice_many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-c_2519993.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Many years ago when I first started my career Maradona told me \"to enjoy and play as you know\", and that's…” — Lionel Messi", "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": "Lionel Messi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Many years ago when I first...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-career-maradona-told-me-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/many-years-ago-when-i-first-started-my-career-maradona-told-me-to/#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 } } ] } ```