Top 74 Quotes & Sayings by Wilfried Zaha

Me going to a big club when I was, like, 19 or 20, I didn't know what to expect, how to behave, whatever. I was just a youngster who wanted to do tricks. I didn't even care about end product, really.

I'd never look at someone and think he's better than me, unless it's Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

I've grafted to get here, so Manchester United is where I want to stay.

Fans give me abuse all the time. Nearly every team does that. If I wasn't a good player, you wouldn't feel like you need to boo me the whole game. So do that if it makes you feel better, but it does spur me on. It's like, 'You expect something from me; that's why you're doing this,' so I don't mind it. They can boo me all day long, really.

My mum says that, when I was a couple of months old and couldn't even stand up yet, I'd try and kick a ball. She knew I'd be into football. Maybe I was just destined to do this.

Losing the ball is not going to help your team, so I am trying to change that.

There is nothing worse than not being involved. You are sitting there thinking, 'What exactly am I? A footballer who is not playing football?' You feel a bit worthless sitting in the stands, watching all the time.

I really want to make myself a better player.

I am just trying to keep my performances consistent.

My dad used to take me to training in bangers, and we used to push the car. He would do whatever it would take, so I owe my family.

It stresses me out if I mess up.

Yohan Cabaye. He's a French player, and he dresses really well every day. There's no effort. That's how I like to dress.

I just come to training, work hard, go home, prepare for the game, then play.

Obviously, being at Wembley, that's where everybody wants to play.

I give a tenth of my salary to charity every month, so in terms of giving back, I do my best.

Obviously, getting to United isn't easy, so not being given a chance is hard to take.

I am a very ambitious person.

One thing I wanted to do from when I was young was buy my parents a house. I have done that in Ivory Coast.

As for me not playing for England, I've got no regret at all.

The thing was, if I had a bad game, I was 'the Man United reject.' If I had a good game, it was 'Man United star on loan.' And I just thought, 'I don't need that anymore.' One minute, I was hero; the next minute, I was zero. I just didn't need it. I'd rather just play football.

I love it at Palace; the fans have got loads of love for me.

Now I want to play with the Ivory Coast. It has been rewarding, firstly because I am proud to play for my country, then because the Ivorian selection has quality players and has always been a reservoir of talent.

Going through games, making silly mistakes, you'll need the manager to tell each individual what they are doing wrong.

One of my brothers, Serge, was at a couple of professional clubs on trial, including Palace when they had Ashley Cole on loan. He was a winger, though left-footed, and I learned a lot of my skills from him.

I don't have anything against United. Playing them won't make me run any faster or try any harder.

Just because I don't smile a lot, people think, 'Ah, yeah. He must have a bad attitude.' But if you don't know me, you don't know me. That was the problem. My face is just serious!

I've lived in Croydon most of my life.

At the pace I'm running, trying to get the ball, the slightest touch could trip me over. You don't have to literally push me over. That's what people don't understand. But unless you're able to run that fast, you'll never understand.

Obviously if somebody scores 17 goals, you're not going to argue with him if he wants to take penalties.

The Ivory Coast had been begging for ages. The country and the fans love me already, and I haven't even done anything. I may not get the red carpet - it may not have the same Nike deals as when you play for England - but I'm going to be playing, I'm going to be loved, and that's all I want. Nothing else.

I've spoken with Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, and they say the Premier League's the place to be. It's where I want to get to, and getting there with Palace would be nice.

I'm not really much of a fan of Drake. I don't know why; I'm not really keen on it. His songs just make you think about your ex! I'm more about upbeat songs! His songs are more sad most of the time!

I feel like I am a good player.

You'll see me just walk into the local Tesco. I don't feel I need to hide myself because there's no reason to. Okay, I play for Crystal Palace, but I'm still a normal human being.

People think your life's different because you've got money, you've got fame, so they don't treat you the same.

If Man United and Liverpool fans feel better by calling me a black monkey in my messages... feel free to carry on if it makes your day better.

I think in football, most of it is just mental.

Going to Manchester United, you're expected to be the final product.

Ivory Coast, even though I told them no at first, they still had the belief in me and still wanted me because they knew what I could do for the team.

When I don't play well, nobody needs to say anything to me. I beat myself up.

Everyone at United made me really feel at home. They are decent lads at United - all of them.

I'm always happy to score, really, and obviously help the team.

I'm just playing my football, and I will just see what the future holds for me.

Going to Cardiff was a really good experience for me. I managed to get quite a few games under my belt at Premier League level, which was good, and I feel like I've come back a better player.

With the way my career has gone, I've had ups and downs, and I'm thankful for going through what I've gone through because now I'm a stronger person.

Everything cannot go right all the time.

If you watch me play, you'll see how often I get kicked. I don't go off the pitch and cut myself to act like I've been kicked.

I am a normal guy. I muck about; I play around with my nieces. The only thing is I need to be professional when I am out and conduct myself in a certain way. I still live a normal lifestyle.

I can deal with the media; I can deal with some of the criticism I get and still focus on what I need to do.

Play well, play regularly, and score goals. Nothing else.

My only objective is to win.

Not everyone can say they were signed by Sir Alex Ferguson and Man United.

When I was at United, I had money, but I was still so down and depressed.

I am the Crystal Palace DJ. I'm the guy who gets us going. I play the songs.

It can be United or Aston Villa or Chelsea or whoever. I just want to win, and if I can score a goal against them, I'll be buzzing.

I have a smile on my face because I am back on the pitch.

I just try to do what I can for the team.

If you play a lot of games, you'll get your form back eventually.

Obviously, I have arguments with people on the pitch, with all the emotions.

Everyone goes on about Manchester United all the time, but they're just another team in the final. I don't see it as anything special.