I couldn't change who I am; I couldn't change the kind of player I am.

It's not like you make a decision and everything inside you is 100 percent happy.

Soccer’s not a game that you can restrict players, especially creative players and players who have proven themselves at that level.

Everybody has down times and stuff that they have to work through. I worked through that stuff because I’ve always wanted to be playing soccer.

To be the key player in creating and scoring goals, that’s what I take pride in, and the thing I know how to do best.

When it’s game situation, when it’s game day, game time, when it’s World Cup, when it’s these tournaments that happen once every so often, I live for that, I live for that challenge.

You can’t ask every player to do the same thing. That’s why we have amazing midfielders, defenders, forwards and keepers. You can’t ask them to be of the same mold.

Do you have the heart to push yourself? If you don’t, find a way to get it because talent will only get you so far. You’ve got to be hungry. You’ve got to have heart. That’s just reality.

If you are passionate about something, that will enable you to be the best you can be.

Do you have the heart to push yourself? If you don't, find a way to get it because talent will only get you so far. You've got to be hungry. You've got to have heart. That's just reality.