"I was sitting alone in an empty locker room, left leg injured. I need to prove my worth when the opportunity is given. I look at my leg, powerless, and wonder why I had to get hurt in this moment. Then, Coach Hiddink appears out of nowhere with an interpretor and speaks to me in English. Not understanding, I stare at the interpretor. He says you have great mentality. With that kind of mental strength, you will become a great player. I was shocked. Before I could murmur the easy 'thank you' in English, he was gone. My heart was pounding. The coach always seemed to be so far away, but he came to me and told me I have great mentality. Somewhere inside, energy was rousing up.... mentality. I have nothing else to boast, but one thing I could do is to never give up. I will endure all hardships, even if I would die from it. And I will keep this mentality.... in the entire World Cup, I played with those words ringing in my ears. With my mentality, I can become a great player. I kicked the ball and ran around the field clinging on to those words. For better or for worse, I am calm and quiet, so not many people take notice of me. But I was sure that Coach Hiddink would be looking at me and urging me to move on. This gave me courage. If it was not for Coach Hiddink, I would not be where I am now. With the words 'where I am now,' I am not referring to me becoming famous or being able to purchase a spacious condo for my parents. I am referring to the fact that I learned to love myself more. Within a minute, what Coach Hiddink said to me changed my life forever. I feel a bit shy thinking about what he would think after reading this, but he is my 'master' and I owe him everything and I won't be able to repay it in my lifetime."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
From Park's autobiography, praising the efforts of Guus Hiddink.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Park_Ji-sung
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Park Ji-sung
1 quote on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Park Ji-sung →
Related Quotes
"I had thought if you are CEO, it's like you're the captain of a ship. You are bound together and share your fate with…"
"The oppressive measures on pornography by the South Korean government are totally insane... It is actually seen that …"
"You [South Korean women] should be ashamed of yourselves. Why are you making such a fuss about menstruating when the …"
"You will understand easily if you know a bit about men’s sexual mechanism. Pornography itself can ease and satisfy me…"
"Dear citizens. Now I plan to jump off a bridge over the Han River. I hope you give us the last chance. Please lend us…"
"Being able to live to the age of 76 was already a great blessing, but in my physical condition, I could not conceive …"
"Rev. and Mrs. Moon boldly entered Moscow in April 1990 and had a one-on-one meeting in the Kremlin with Soviet Presid…"
"I am a proud Korean – a proud "Moonie" – and a dedicated anti-Communist and I intend to remain so the res…"