PSV Eindhoven 2 RKC Waalwijk 2
December 6, 1994 Eredivisie
“This confirmed I had what it took to be a footballer. I scored twice and they were my first professional goals, so this match will always have fond memories for me. I was just making my way in the game, alongside the original Ronaldo, so to overshadow him took some doing, but I somehow did with a spectacular volley. I’d always felt that I was good enough to go places, but then again, lots of pro footballers feel exactly the same. This match at the Philips Stadion reinforced my self-belief and convinced me that I could handle life among experienced professionals. It also won me their respect. I was so deliriously happy, but my team-mates reminded me that it was just the start. That helped me to understand how hard you needed to work to do well.”
Brazil 1 Netherlands 1
July 7, 1998 World Cup semi-final
“Just as Charles Dickens put it in his book A Tale of Two Cities, France 1998 honestly was the best of times and the worst of times. To follow in the footsteps of giants – representing my country on a global stage with realistic expectations of going one further than our predecessors, who’d reached two World Cup finals back in the 1970s – was truly exciting. The final was within touching distance when we played Brazil in the last four in Marseille. It was a phenomenally tense semi-final – we did our country proud, but lost our way in the penalty shootout. I was very down, but it made me realise how important it is to come to terms with setbacks, no matter how deep and painful the disappointment. You have a duty not to dwell on things, but to quickly move on.”
Bolton Wanderers 1 Middlesbrough 2
February 29, 2004 League Cup final
“If ever a game made me realise how much football means to supporters, this one really stands out. Together, with Steve McClaren as our manager, we created history by winning Boro the first major trophy in the club’s 128 years of existence. We were very well prepared so we were confident, and before w
