"I'm like Muhammad Ali. When he said he would knock someone out in the fourth round, he did. I'm brilliant. Brilliant players don't get scared."
The talented, and modest, Swedish teenager Zlatan Ibrahimovic

"I am a senior player and I am drained, shattered. Imagine how the young lads feel."
The Roy Keane affair takes its toll on Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn

 

"The staff and players are in no doubt that the interests of the squad are best served without Roy's presence"
An FAI statement on behalf of the Republic of Ireland players concerning Roy Keane

"I would like to take Emile Heskey to one side and slap him about because he doesn't fully realise just what he possesses"
Former England captain Terry Butcher writing in the Daily Mirror



"As soon as a player does a few nice flicks and keeps the ball up, they are the best thing since Stanley Matthews. That is lovely but you need important team players as well and Emile will always be a team player."
Liverpool's assistant-manager Phil Thompson gets angry with criticism against Emile Heskey

"The Aston Villa flier is a quiet character away from the pitch but the referee's whistle sounds like the crack of a starter's pistol to him. He has become an automatic for England after only five internationals."
Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph

"I can agree it's important not to lose, but it's even more important to win"
Sven Goran Eriksson encourages a positive approach for Sunday's opener against Sweden

"My aim is the final of the World Cup 2002"
Germany's Christian Ziege

"Brazil and Turkey are level in terms of skill but we have the stronger team spirit."
Turkey's Yildiray Basturk. His side are in Group C with Brazil