--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Playing for a Champions League place is…" description: "\"Playing for a Champions League place is not enough. It is not my target, but it is a target we have to take.\" — Robin Van Persie" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfc/robin-van-persie-14224_champions-league_playing-for-a-champions-league-place-is_3064456.png" --- # Playing for a Champions League place is not enough. It is… ![“Playing for a Champions League place is not enough. It is not my target, but it is a target we have to take.” quote by Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfc/robin-van-persie-14224_champions-league_playing-for-a-champions-league-place-is_3064456.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfc/robin-van-persie-14224_champions-league_playing-for-a-champions-league-place-is_3064456.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfc/robin-van-persie-14224_champions-league_playing-for-a-champions-league-place-is_3064456.png) > “Playing for a Champions League place is not enough. It is not my target, but it is a target we have to take.” [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Aiming for Champions League qualification is a stepping stone, not the ultimate goal; the team must pursue it deliberately. **In simple terms:** Champions League is a target, not the end. Key Takeaway Treat big goals as milestones. Themes sports goal‑setting teamwork Mood focused determined Type motivational strategic When to use this quote - season planning - training programs - team meetings Key Concepts strategic planning motivation Questions to Reflect On - What secondary goals support your main objective? - How do you keep motivation after achieving a target? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on a single target can cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Champions league](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champions-league/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [League](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/league/) [League Place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/league-place-2553734/) [Place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place/) [Place Target](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place-target-5155466/) [Playing Champions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-champions-1006953/) [Target](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/target/) ## Related quotes > [The Premier League is the place to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-silva/the-premier-league-is-the-place-to-be/) [David Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-silva/) > [I think just playing in the Champions League is a big motivation. When you hear the hymn or the song of the Champions League,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willy-caballero/i-think-just-playing-in-the-champions-league-is-a-big-motivation-when/) [Willy Caballero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willy-caballero/) > [This game is about engagement and respect, whether you're playing in the Champions League or in the fourth division.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-davids/this-game-is-about-engagement-and-respect-whether-you-re-playing-in/) [Edgar Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-davids/) > [It is very exciting to be playing in the Champions League because it is the dream of every player in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadio-mane/it-is-very-exciting-to-be-playing-in-the-champions-league-because-it/) [Sadio Mane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadio-mane/) > [To be playing in a Champions League final is something to cherish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/to-be-playing-in-a-champions-league-final-is-something-to-cherish/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [On a serious note, I've been used to playing in the Champions League for my whole career, more or less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/on-a-serious-note-i-ve-been-used-to-playing-in-the-champions-league/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Playing Champions League is always different. It is the competition that everyone wants to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-felix/playing-champions-league-is-always-different-it-is-the-competition/) [Joao Felix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-felix/) > [You know when you have a manager that is always successful, is always in the title race and always playing in the Champions League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-costa/you-know-when-you-have-a-manager-that-is-always-successful-is-always/) [Diego Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-costa/) > [If I'm going to work in Holland I would like to have more of a chance to do something in the league, because a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-pardew/if-i-m-going-to-work-in-holland-i-would-like-to-have-more-of-a-chance/) [Alan Pardew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-pardew/) > [There are only two places in the league - first place and no place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-seaver/there-are-only-two-places-in-the-league-first-place-and-no-place/) [Tom Seaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-seaver/) > [There are only two places in this league, First Place and No Place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-seaver/there-are-only-two-places-in-this-league-first-place-and-no-place/) [Tom Seaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-seaver/) > [I've spoken with Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, and they say the Premier League's the place to be. It's where I want to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilfried-zaha/i-ve-spoken-with-raheem-sterling-and-jordan-henderson-and-they-say/) [Wilfried Zaha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilfried-zaha/) > [Even when I was at the top, playing in the Champions League final for Liverpool and playing at the World Cup for England, I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-crouch/even-when-i-was-at-the-top-playing-in-the-champions-league-final-for/) [Peter Crouch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-crouch/) > [Playing for your country is still a big, big thing and I just think it's psychologically and physically easier in the bigger games if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-o-neill/playing-for-your-country-is-still-a-big-big-thing-and-i-just-think-it/) [Martin O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-o-neill/) > [Don't get me wrong, by the time I finish I will have had a fantastic career. But you do sit there sometimes and think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonjo-shelvey/don-t-get-me-wrong-by-the-time-i-finish-i-will-have-had-a-fantastic/) [Jonjo Shelvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonjo-shelvey/) ## More by Robin Van Persie > [Manchester United breathe football. When I have to make hard decisions, I always listen to little boy inside me and what he wants. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/manchester-united-breathe-football-when-i-have-to-make-hard-decisions/) [Robin van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [My fellow players are sometimes occupying the spaces I want to play in. That forces me to adjust my runs, based on the position…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/my-fellow-players-are-sometimes-occupying-the-spaces-i-want-to-play/) [Robin van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [Every big player who leaves Arsenal is a massive loss. But no player here is bigger than the club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/every-big-player-who-leaves-arsenal-is-a-massive-loss-but-no-player/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [Our fellow players are sometimes occupying the spaces I want to play in. And when I see that, it makes it difficult for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/our-fellow-players-are-sometimes-occupying-the-spaces-i-want-to-play/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [Over the last few years, I've started to look more closely at the way coaches work to learn from them - not just here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/over-the-last-few-years-i-ve-started-to-look-more-closely-at-the-way/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [I think Messi is an absolute giant in the game. Not so much because of his dribbles and actions. That's why most people rate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/i-think-messi-is-an-absolute-giant-in-the-game-not-so-much-because-of/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [At home in Manchester, I have a recreation room just like I had in London, with all kinds of jerseys on the wall. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/at-home-in-manchester-i-have-a-recreation-room-just-like-i-had-in/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [When I came to Arsenal years ago, I saw things from Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry I'd never seen before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/when-i-came-to-arsenal-years-ago-i-saw-things-from-dennis-bergkamp/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [I've worked with some brilliant coaches, and I've taken a real interest in all the methods they use and the choices they make. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/i-ve-worked-with-some-brilliant-coaches-and-i-ve-taken-a-real/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [It was a crazy game. We could have scored five...oh right, we did score five, but we could have scored six, seven or eight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/it-was-a-crazy-game-we-could-have-scored-five-oh-right-we-did-score/) [Robin van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [I'm home. I hope the Manchester United fans forgive me for being late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/i-m-home-i-hope-the-manchester-united-fans-forgive-me-for-being-late/) [Robin van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [I think my biggest strength is that I always keep doing exactly the same thing. There are forwards who go crazy with euphoria, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/i-think-my-biggest-strength-is-that-i-always-keep-doing-exactly-the/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [I wasn't artistic in drawing or painting, but I think I am artistic in sport. I think I'm always looking for the ultimate, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/i-wasn-t-artistic-in-drawing-or-painting-but-i-think-i-am-artistic-in/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [Everybody who comes to my home has to play at least one set against me. I beat them all. The best thing is when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/everybody-who-comes-to-my-home-has-to-play-at-least-one-set-against/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [I want to play as long as possible at the highest level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/i-want-to-play-as-long-as-possible-at-the-highest-level/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) [Explore all 47 Robin Van Persie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) ## More Champions league quotes > [The World Cup was the biggest thing ever for the national team, but the Champions League is the biggest thing for clubs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-villa/the-world-cup-was-the-biggest-thing-ever-for-the-national-team-but/) [David Villa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-villa/) > [United was my first European club. We won two titles and almost won the Champions League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-hernandez/united-was-my-first-european-club-we-won-two-titles-and-almost-won/) [Javier Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-hernandez/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) > [I just wanted to jump into the stands and start celebrating with those wonderful fans. (on reaching the Champions League final)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-gerrard/i-just-wanted-to-jump-into-the-stands-and-start-celebrating-with/) [Steven Gerrard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-gerrard/) > [In England you probably have too many cups with the Champions League as it is now. You have the FA Cup and another cup;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianluca-vialli/in-england-you-probably-have-too-many-cups-with-the-champions-league/) [Gianluca Vialli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianluca-vialli/) > [If you win the Champions League, you become known across the globe, but the World Cup has always thrown up new stars and developments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jupp-heynckes/if-you-win-the-champions-league-you-become-known-across-the-globe-but/) [Jupp Heynckes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jupp-heynckes/) > [If Neymar doesn't leave PSG, he will never win anything important. Especially the Champions League, which is the most important competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rivaldo/if-neymar-doesn-t-leave-psg-he-will-never-win-anything-important/) [Rivaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rivaldo/) > [We all know that the Champions League is the most important competition in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isco/we-all-know-that-the-champions-league-is-the-most-important/) [Isco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isco/) > [The Champions League is a big ambition, and all the footballers want to play in it; it is a very important competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-torres/the-champions-league-is-a-big-ambition-and-all-the-footballers-want/) [Fernando Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-torres/) > [When I was a child, I had it in my head to play in the Champions League and win it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-moura/when-i-was-a-child-i-had-it-in-my-head-to-play-in-the-champions/) [Lucas Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-moura/) > [Almost everybody has dreamed of winning the Champions League, I think it's the biggest competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-dias/almost-everybody-has-dreamed-of-winning-the-champions-league-i-think/) [Ruben Dias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-dias/) > [Champions League football in the Premier League - you're talking about the top, big, massive clubs, and it's not something I think I'd get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/champions-league-football-in-the-premier-league-you-re-talking-about/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [In the Champions League, if you can win at home, the draw away is priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gervinho/in-the-champions-league-if-you-can-win-at-home-the-draw-away-is/) [Gervinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gervinho/) > [I'm no longer thinking of Madrid. That dream is dead. The only thing I dream about now is Manchester United and winning the Champions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristiano-ronaldo/i-m-no-longer-thinking-of-madrid-that-dream-is-dead-the-only-thing-i/) [Cristiano Ronaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristiano-ronaldo/) > [You see on the night of a Champions League game. It is magic. It is total magic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrice-evra/you-see-on-the-night-of-a-champions-league-game-it-is-magic-it-is/) [Patrice Evra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrice-evra/) [Browse all 579 Champions league quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champions-league/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Playing for a Champions League place is not enough. 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