---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've always said I learned to defend…"
description: "\"I've always said I learned to defend myself from an opponent coming for a hard hit. Tricks are part of my repertoire; I use them to try to get past my ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/neymar-2716_defend_i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-mys_3030157.jpg"
---

#  I've always said I learned to defend myself from an…

![“I've always said I learned to defend myself from an opponent coming for a hard hit. Tricks are part of my repertoire; I use them to try to get past my opponents, but the objective is always to score goals.” quote by Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/neymar-2716_defend_i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-mys_3030157.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/neymar-2716_defend_i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-mys_3030157.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/neymar-2716_defend_i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-mys_3030157.jpg)

> “I've always said I learned to defend myself from an opponent coming for a hard hit. Tricks are part of my repertoire; I use them to try to get past my opponents, but the objective is always to score goals.”

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Strategic deception in sport is a tool to create opportunities, but the ultimate aim remains scoring.

**In simple terms:** Tricks create chances, but goal is the aim.

Key Takeaway

Use tactics wisely to achieve goals.

Themes

sports strategy competition

Mood

competitive focused

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- football matches
- training drills
- game planning

Key Concepts

Deception goal orientation

Questions to Reflect On

- When is a trick more harmful than helpful?
- How balance creativity with fundamentals?

A Different Perspective

Overreliance on tricks can undermine skill development.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Defend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend/) [Defend Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend-myself/) [Defend Opponent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend-opponent-4570660/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Hit Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hit-tricks-4945905/) [Learned Defend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned-defend-1565817/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Opponents Objective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opponents-objective-4945904/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try/)

## Related quotes

> [If I can't defend my opponent and if he scores as much I'm scoring then he won the matchup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jabari-parker/if-i-can-t-defend-my-opponent-and-if-he-scores-as-much-i-m-scoring/)

[Jabari Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jabari-parker/)

> [I learned how to defend myself at the OSB, not physically but with words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/i-learned-how-to-defend-myself-at-the-osb-not-physically-but-with/)

[Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/)

> [“Here, I've learned to defend myself, I've learned to be stronger, but one thing I haven't learned, won't let myself learn, is how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/here-i-ve-learned-to-defend-myself-i-ve-learned-to-be-stronger-but/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [I learned how to defend the ball with my body and to be faster than my opponents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-dybala/i-learned-how-to-defend-the-ball-with-my-body-and-to-be-faster-than/)

[Paulo Dybala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-dybala/)

> [At Ajax, I got an education in how to be confident on the ball, my technique, and then, at Atletico, I learned how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-alderweireld/at-ajax-i-got-an-education-in-how-to-be-confident-on-the-ball-my/)

[Toby Alderweireld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-alderweireld/)

> [When someone abuses me I can defend myself, but against praise I am defenceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/when-someone-abuses-me-i-can-defend-myself-but-against-praise-i-am/)

[Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/)

> [“For the record, while it's very charming that you keep trying to protect me, I would like to remind you that I actually know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/for-the-record-while-it-s-very-charming-that-you-keep-trying-to/)

[Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/)

> [Being a black belt from the Nogueira brothers, I have the obligation to always defend myself well on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anderson-silva/being-a-black-belt-from-the-nogueira-brothers-i-have-the-obligation/)

[Anderson Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anderson-silva/)

> [My parents taught me the way to deal with being picked on was to be compassionate. I had to defend myself physically, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-rubinek/my-parents-taught-me-the-way-to-deal-with-being-picked-on-was-to-be/)

[Saul Rubinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-rubinek/)

> [On a few words of what is real in the world I nourish myself. I defend myself against Whatever remains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stevens/on-a-few-words-of-what-is-real-in-the-world-i-nourish-myself-i-defend/)

[Wallace Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stevens/)

> [“...I long ago gave up defending humanity. It's beyond me on most days to defend myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-shriver/i-long-ago-gave-up-defending-humanity-it-s-beyond-me-on-most-days-to/)

[Lionel Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-shriver/)

> [“One day I had nothing but my childhood to defend myself…..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sameh-elsayed/one-day-i-had-nothing-but-my-childhood-to-defend-myself/)

[Sameh Elsayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sameh-elsayed/)

> [For me, I don't have to defend myself that I am not a racist. I won't go in that discussion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxime-bernier/for-me-i-don-t-have-to-defend-myself-that-i-am-not-a-racist-i-won-t/)

[Maxime Bernier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxime-bernier/)

> [I cannot defend myself during a trial if there is no charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sooraj-pancholi/i-cannot-defend-myself-during-a-trial-if-there-is-no-charge/)

[Sooraj Pancholi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sooraj-pancholi/)

> [Swearing's my release. It's the one weapon I have to defend myself against destiny when it elects to strike without pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-pirlo/swearing-s-my-release-it-s-the-one-weapon-i-have-to-defend-myself/)

[Andrea Pirlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-pirlo/)

## More by Neymar

> [Of course Messi could handle a cold Tuesday night in Stoke. He'd be drinking tea and relaxing beforehand. Me? I'd probably be the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/of-course-messi-could-handle-a-cold-tuesday-night-in-stoke-he-d-be/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [ Little by little, Leo \[Messi\] and I are understanding each other better. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/little-by-little-leo-messi-and-i-are-understanding-each-other-better/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [I try to be myself without being anything different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-try-to-be-myself-without-being-anything-different/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [I dreamt of being like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho Gaucho.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-dreamt-of-being-like-ronaldo-ronaldinho-gaucho/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [I'm a happy guy. I like to joke around. I'm irreverent. I love my family; I love my son. I was very happy with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-m-a-happy-guy-i-like-to-joke-around-i-m-irreverent-i-love-my-family/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [To play with the best is very easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/to-play-with-the-best-is-very-easy/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [ I vote for who I think it deserves it. I already voted for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2014 \[when he won his 3rd bdo\]. I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-vote-for-who-i-think-it-deserves-it-i-already-voted-for-cristiano/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [I've learned my tricks watching videos on the Internet with friends. I'm always trying to copy what I've seen at home, what I learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-ve-learned-my-tricks-watching-videos-on-the-internet-with-friends-i/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [It is easier when you like to work with your companions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/it-is-easier-when-you-like-to-work-with-your-companions/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [I don't feel hatred for Zuniga.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-don-t-feel-hatred-for-zuniga/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [No one can compare to Ronaldinho. I remember his plays, his dribbles. I remember him winning every title at the Camp Nou. He made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/no-one-can-compare-to-ronaldinho-i-remember-his-plays-his-dribbles-i/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [There weren't many options growing up, so I would wear whatever possible. I once saw a little boy wearing Jordan sneakers in a movie...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/there-weren-t-many-options-growing-up-so-i-would-wear-whatever/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [I just want to be better every day, to get better every day, not to be better than anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-just-want-to-be-better-every-day-to-get-better-every-day-not-to-be/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [I just like playing with the ball. I always have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-just-like-playing-with-the-ball-i-always-have/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

> [My greatest idol I've always told everyone  was Robinho as he was from Santos and I was always following him, so I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/my-greatest-idol-i-ve-always-told-everyone-was-robinho-as-he-was-from/)

[Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

[Explore all 153 Neymar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/)

## More Defend quotes

> [My first Olympics memory was watching Haile Gebrselassie in Sydney 2000. His sprint finish to defend his title really moved me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-farah/my-first-olympics-memory-was-watching-haile-gebrselassie-in-sydney/)

[Mo Farah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-farah/)

> [We fight to defend our democratic ideals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/we-fight-to-defend-our-democratic-ideals/)

[Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/)

> [The pop culture has become more frenetic. There are more forces at work that are far more invasive. However, I think it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/the-pop-culture-has-become-more-frenetic-there-are-more-forces-at/)

[Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/)

> [I don't need a perfect person. I just need someone who will defend me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-need-a-perfect-person-i-just-need-someone-who-will-defend-me/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Swearing's my release. It's the one weapon I have to defend myself against destiny when it elects to strike without pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-pirlo/swearing-s-my-release-it-s-the-one-weapon-i-have-to-defend-myself/)

[Andrea Pirlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-pirlo/)

> [Having kids is the deal-breaker on shyness! Once you have a baby, you learn to speak up loud and clear to protect them, defend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-foster/having-kids-is-the-deal-breaker-on-shyness-once-you-have-a-baby-you/)

[Lori Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-foster/)

> [We will defend ourselves, and we have full rights to do so. If the authorities try to destroy us, we have the right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-udaltsov/we-will-defend-ourselves-and-we-have-full-rights-to-do-so-if-the/)

[Sergei Udaltsov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-udaltsov/)

> [I definitely want to defend my 145 belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-nunes/i-definitely-want-to-defend-my-145-belt/)

[Amanda Nunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-nunes/)

> [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/)

> [“There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/there-are-always-those-who-take-it-upon-themselves-to-defend-god-as/)

[Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/)

> [“defend women’s right to be wrong, at least occasionally.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/defend-women-s-right-to-be-wrong-at-least-occasionally/)

[Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/)

> [There are a lot of things you can practise to unsettle teams that defend deep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/didier-deschamps/there-are-a-lot-of-things-you-can-practise-to-unsettle-teams-that/)

[Didier Deschamps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/didier-deschamps/)

> [The more you defend a lie, the angrier you become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/the-more-you-defend-a-lie-the-angrier-you-become/)

[Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/)

> [I'm very willing to defend creative things that I believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-schneider/i-m-very-willing-to-defend-creative-things-that-i-believe-in/)

[Dan Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-schneider/)

> [Sometimes it is difficult to play against teams who just drop back and try to defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadio-mane/sometimes-it-is-difficult-to-play-against-teams-who-just-drop-back/)

[Sadio Mane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadio-mane/)

[Browse all 993 Defend quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I've always said I learned to defend myself from an opponent coming for a hard hit. Tricks are part of my repertoire; I use them to try to get past my opponents, but the objective is always to score goals.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Neymar"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-myself-from-an-opponent-coming/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Defend"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-myself-from-an-opponent-coming/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/neymar-2716_defend_i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-mys_3030157.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/neymar-2716_defend_i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-mys_3030157.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/neymar-2716_defend_i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-mys_3030157.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I've always said I learned to defend myself from an opponent coming for a hard hit. Tricks are part of my…” — Neymar",
                "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": "Neymar",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I've always said I learned to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-myself-from-an-opponent-coming/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/i-ve-always-said-i-learned-to-defend-myself-from-an-opponent-coming/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
