“When I was a kid, I thought my dad was a little bit harsh with me at times. Sometimes I needed an arm around me instead of my dad telling me what I did wrong, but it obviously worked.”

I have always believed that if you want to achieve anything special in life you have to work, work, and then work some more.

I feel I can still do the same job as I did 10 years ago – I’ve just got a few more wrinkles!

I don’t regret the decision to retire. My body was losing its edge. I was taking longer to recover from injuries. You have to get out at some point.

It’s not easy when someone pulls your ponytail.

You can be the one – in – a – million. Don’t be discouraged by the odds to Succeed.

I don’t think I have reached a plateau. I have just reached the level where I am today. But I need to go above it.

Is the Pope Catholic. No I’m serious. I really need to know.

I love scoring goals for England and playing for England. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t retire – I love playing for my country.

I’ve always been proud to represent my country, whether it be World Cups, European Championships or just friendly games, I’ve always been a proud person, I’m very patriotic.

Maths is totally done differently to what I was teached when I was at school.

I always used to go for blondes and quiet girls, but Victoria is the total opposite – dark and loud.

I have come to accept that if I have a new haircut it is front page news. But having a picture of my foot on the front page of a national newspaper is a bit exceptional.

Joining Real Madrid is a dream come true.

I still look at myself and want to improve.

To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country.

I haven’t retired from international football – I still believe I have a part to play in the future of England.

All your children are poor unfortunate victims of systems beyond their control

We cannot teach children the danger of lying to men without feeling as men, the greater danger of lying to children.

What I do is so important to me. It’s like being a parent, in some ways, of a super-demanding , high-achieving child, with a cry that sounds really cool on the radio.

What is an adult? A child blown up by age.

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.

The best thing about it is you’re showing kids that no matter where you grow up, what race you are, that you can achieve your dream.

Quit thy childhood, my friend, and wake up!

If children are to be educated to understand the true principle of patriotism, their mother must be a patriot.