I play for the intense challenges that the game on the highest levels present. The whole team enjoys playng exciting soccer for the fans and my part in that makes me feel good about myself. The whole concept of teamwork is what keeps us all going. It's my role to create scoring chances, and to come through for my teammates is extremely satisfying.
Mia HammCelebrate what you've accomplished, but raise the bar a little higher each time you succeed.
Mia HammI've worked too hard and too long to let anything stand in the way of my goals. I will not let my teammates down and I will not let myself down.
Mia HammFailure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it.
Mia HammI'm not someone who goes around the locker room before a game trying to motivate my teammates. I don't say a lot before the game. I don't say a lot in general. It takes too much energy to do that.
Mia HammI was given a tremendous gift in terms of athleticism. Maybe it was because I wasn't so confident in other areas.
Mia HammWhen players go out and train on their own, they usually do it at half speed. This kind of training is valuable, but it doesn't prepare you for competition, where you must perform at full throttle. So the trick is to schedule regular sessions of intense practice, while always leaving time to juggle and generally goof around with the ball
Mia HammEvery single day I wake up and commit myself to becoming a better player. Some days it happens, and some days it doesn't. Sure, there are games I'm going to dominate and there are going to be games when I struggle. But it doesn't mean I give up.
Mia HammFocus on what you know you can do. Know what you're capable of on any given day, and what you can count on. Do the simple things well, and then use the confidence to build up the rest of your game. Learn to differentiate between what is truly important and what can be dealt with at another time.
Mia HammThere are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one.
Mia HammI could sit there and eat pasta all day long and not worry about it when I was younger, and now I really have to focus on making sure I set a good example for my kids.
Mia HammI don't like to stop. I'm a big person who looks at where the hubs are because I hate changing planes.
Mia HammMany people say I'm the best women's soccer player in the world. I don't think so. And because of that, someday I just might be.
Mia Hamm