---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I come from a generation where I couldn't…"
description: "\"I come from a generation where I couldn't even contemplate such a thing. I find it amazing... You can become a multi-millionaire as a club player witho..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/trevor-brooking-51667_clubs_i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn_1542530.jpg"
---

#  I come from a generation where I couldn't even contemplate…

![“I come from a generation where I couldn't even contemplate such a thing. I find it amazing... You can become a multi-millionaire as a club player without playing international football. But international football is about individual pride and wanting to perform at the highest level. If I got…” quote by Trevor Brooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/trevor-brooking-51667_clubs_i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn_1542530.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/trevor-brooking-51667_clubs_i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn_1542530.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/trevor-brooking-51667_clubs_i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn_1542530.jpg)

> “I come from a generation where I couldn't even contemplate such a thing. I find it amazing... You can become a multi-millionaire as a club player without playing international football. But international football is about individual pride and wanting to perform at the highest level. If I got picked at 41, I would have played, even if I thought I would make a fool of myself. I just wanted to play for my country.”

[Trevor Brooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/)

## About This Quote

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

He reflects on missed opportunities, valuing national pride over personal fame, and would seize a late chance to play.

**In simple terms:** Regret over not playing for country, but still eager.

Key Takeaway

Pursue passion regardless of age.

Themes

sportsmanship national pride late bloom

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- football selection
- career retrospectives
- late‑career opportunities

Key Concepts

Opportunity cost age bias

Questions to Reflect On

- What would you do differently if given a second chance?
- How does age affect athletic ambition?

A Different Perspective

Late opportunities are rare and may conflict with current commitments.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Club Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/club-player-1461455/) [Clubs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clubs/) [Contemplating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplating/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Football Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football-individual-3938871/) [Football International](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football-international-5609058/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Highest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highest/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [International](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/international/) [International Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/international-football-397551/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [Millionaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/millionaire/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player/) [Playing International](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-international-397552/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/)

## Related quotes

> [I think it's important that I keep playing international football, whatever level it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-rice/i-think-it-s-important-that-i-keep-playing-international-football/)

[Declan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-rice/)

> [I think playing international football burns players out, but I was in and out of the England squad so never felt that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-barry/i-think-playing-international-football-burns-players-out-but-i-was-in/)

[Gareth Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-barry/)

> [The closest you are going to get to playing international football is the Champions League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green/the-closest-you-are-going-to-get-to-playing-international-football-is/)

[Robert Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green/)

> [After much deliberation I have made the decision to retire from playing international football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mile-jedinak/after-much-deliberation-i-have-made-the-decision-to-retire-from/)

[Mile Jedinak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mile-jedinak/)

> [We need everybody to contribute as one and do what we've got to do to win. Football is not an individual game. In basketball,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-pierre-paul/we-need-everybody-to-contribute-as-one-and-do-what-we-ve-got-to-do-to/)

[Jason Pierre-Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-pierre-paul/)

> [I think that's the same no matter what level you're playing at, whether it's club football or international, you have got to win games…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-dallas/i-think-that-s-the-same-no-matter-what-level-you-re-playing-at/)

[Stuart Dallas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-dallas/)

> [Appreciation should come from both sides - from club to player and from player to club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-gnabry/appreciation-should-come-from-both-sides-from-club-to-player-and-from/)

[Serge Gnabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-gnabry/)

> [I think, for every player, Manchester United is a very attractive club and of course you want to play at the highest levels. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-ten-hag/i-think-for-every-player-manchester-united-is-a-very-attractive-club/)

[Erik ten Hag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-ten-hag/)

> [The passionate fans, pumped full of adrenalin, think they own their club and, by extension, the players because they play for their club. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-forlan/the-passionate-fans-pumped-full-of-adrenalin-think-they-own-their/)

[Diego Forlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-forlan/)

> [I have always wanted to play at clubs like Barcelona. It's a great club. Any player would be happy for them to show an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinho/i-have-always-wanted-to-play-at-clubs-like-barcelona-it-s-a-great/)

[Robinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinho/)

> [Agents can act with what is called duality, working for both a club and a player - and get paid from both ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-jordan/agents-can-act-with-what-is-called-duality-working-for-both-a-club/)

[Simon Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-jordan/)

> [“Nothing brings a warm smile to my face and does my heart more good than when a club player or pro walks up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-gilbert/nothing-brings-a-warm-smile-to-my-face-and-does-my-heart-more-good/)

[Brad Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-gilbert/)

> [Everything depends on the club more than the player: the quantities, the paperwork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-mata/everything-depends-on-the-club-more-than-the-player-the-quantities/)

[Juan Mata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-mata/)

> [Transfer fees don't show which player is better. It's only a number necessary for a club to get a player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-muller/transfer-fees-don-t-show-which-player-is-better-it-s-only-a-number/)

[Thomas Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-muller/)

> [Ultimately, playing at international level, at all age groups, is good for a player's development, and that is good for clubs, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/ultimately-playing-at-international-level-at-all-age-groups-is-good/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

## More by Trevor Brooking

> [Unfortunately, we don't get a second chance. We've already played them twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/unfortunately-we-don-t-get-a-second-chance-we-ve-already-played-them/)

[Trevor Brooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/)

> [That's football, Mike, Northern Ireland have had several chances and haven't scored but England have had no chances and scored twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/that-s-football-mike-northern-ireland-have-had-several-chances-and/)

[Trevor Brooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/)

> [Merseyside derbies usually last 90 minutes and I'm sure today's won't be any different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/merseyside-derbies-usually-last-90-minutes-and-i-m-sure-today-s-won-t/)

[Trevor Brooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/)

> [You're always going to be struggling if you haven't got a left foot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/you-re-always-going-to-be-struggling-if-you-haven-t-got-a-left-foot/)

[Trevor Brooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/)

> [That could have been his second yellow card - if he'd already got his first one of course](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/that-could-have-been-his-second-yellow-card-if-he-d-already-got-his/)

[Trevor Brooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/)

> [Historically, the host nations do well in Euro 2000.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/historically-the-host-nations-do-well-in-euro-2000/)

[Trevor Brooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/)

[Explore all 7 Trevor Brooking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/)

## More Clubs quotes

> [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/)

[Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/)

> [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [So I went to a club the other day, which is timely because my self esteem had been hovering right around 'normal' and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-birbiglia/so-i-went-to-a-club-the-other-day-which-is-timely-because-my-self/)

[Mike Birbiglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-birbiglia/)

> [There's nothing like the energy in a small comedy club room or a small theater when it's going really well. I can see everybody's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-carey/there-s-nothing-like-the-energy-in-a-small-comedy-club-room-or-a/)

[Drew Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-carey/)

> [In my former life I was in insider, as much as anybody else. And I knew what it's like, and I still know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/in-my-former-life-i-was-in-insider-as-much-as-anybody-else-and-i-knew/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/)

[Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/)

> [ \[Could you show us how Lana Del Rey dances in a club?\] That would be illegal. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-del-rey/could-you-show-us-how-lana-del-rey-dances-in-a-club-that-would-be/)

[Lana Del Rey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-del-rey/)

> [The good Bishop of Assisi expressed a sort of horror at the hard life which the Little Brothers lived at the Portiuncula, without comforts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-good-bishop-of-assisi-expressed-a-sort-of-horror-at-the-hard-life/)

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

> [The first time I went to Abbey Road and put those headphones on, I discovered I had two voices. I no longer had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cilla-black/the-first-time-i-went-to-abbey-road-and-put-those-headphones-on-i/)

[Cilla Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cilla-black/)

> [I just started writing for my own amusement and occasionally singing in little clubs around Los Angeles. Then I wrote 'The Rose,' and through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-mcbroom/i-just-started-writing-for-my-own-amusement-and-occasionally-singing/)

[Amanda McBroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-mcbroom/)

> [The clubs, that's easy to cut out, because I know when the season ends I can look forward to going out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/the-clubs-that-s-easy-to-cut-out-because-i-know-when-the-season-ends/)

[Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/)

> [Raves when it was safe to be free &amp; wave your hands in the air, like you didn't even care! Not scared to break…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/progrezza/raves-when-it-was-safe-to-be-free-wave-your-hands-in-the-air-like-you/)

[Progrezza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/progrezza/)

> [Well, the coffeehouse audiences never know what they're going to get, and all the comics are different, as opposed to when you go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/well-the-coffeehouse-audiences-never-know-what-they-re-going-to-get/)

[Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/)

> [I assume my stance, and take back the club, low, slowly; at the top, my eyes fog over, and my joints dip and swirl…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/i-assume-my-stance-and-take-back-the-club-low-slowly-at-the-top-my/)

[John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/)

> [A new club is like having a new girlfriend – you don't have feelings straight away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-owen/a-new-club-is-like-having-a-new-girlfriend-you-don-t-have-feelings/)

[Michael Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-owen/)

[Browse all 2,237 Clubs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clubs/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I come from a generation where I couldn't even contemplate such a thing. I find it amazing... You can become a multi-millionaire as a club player without playing international football. But international football is about individual pride and wanting to perform at the highest level. If I got picked at 41, I would have played, even if I thought I would make a fool of myself. I just wanted to play for my country.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Trevor Brooking"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn-t-even-contemplate-such-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Clubs"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn-t-even-contemplate-such-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/trevor-brooking-51667_clubs_i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn_1542530.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/trevor-brooking-51667_clubs_i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn_1542530.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/trevor-brooking-51667_clubs_i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn_1542530.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I come from a generation where I couldn't even contemplate such a thing. I find it amazing... You can become…” — Trevor Brooking",
                "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": "Trevor Brooking",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-brooking/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I come from a generation where...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn-t-even-contemplate-such-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-brooking/i-come-from-a-generation-where-i-couldn-t-even-contemplate-such-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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
