"I think if you want to become a great football player, professional, you must give all the time one hundred percent, you must work hard - to be lucky is a good thing - but if you work hard and you give everything you will have great success"

Greg Akcelrod’s words emphasize the fundamental importance of dedication, effort, and perseverance in achieving greatness, especially in the world of professional football. Success is not merely a product of natural talent or fleeting good fortune; it is most often built on a foundation of persistent hard work and the willingness to give everything one has. Akcelrod highlights the necessity of continually giving “one hundred percent”, not on rare occasions, but at every opportunity. This speaks to a consistency of effort, the act of showing up and giving maximum commitment day in and day out, whether at training sessions or during critical match moments.

He also acknowledges the positive role that luck can play in an athlete’s journey. Luck may bring unexpected opportunities or help tip the balance in a close competition. However, he frames luck as something supplementary rather than central to eventual success. Instead, the core message is that hard work aligns more closely with achievement. A player who devotes himself wholly to improvement can seize the opportunities that luck provides, maximizing their benefit.

By stressing the importance of giving “everything”, Akcelrod suggests that real progress demands sacrifice and an all-encompassing drive. It is not enough to simply show up or do the bare minimum; true greatness requires engagement on physical, mental, and even emotional levels. This dedication often sets apart those who merely participate from those who elevate themselves to professional status or legendary recognition.

For aspiring athletes, Akcelrod’s perspective offers encouragement and guidance. Everyone can control their attitude and effort, even when external circumstances are unpredictable. While not every hard-working player becomes a star, the consistent investment of energy and heart vastly increases the odds of success, while also fostering a sense of fulfillment and personal growth throughout the journey.