Letter To My Younger Self

The one bad thing about this letter is that I can’t use it to reach back and slap you upside the head to knock some sense into you.

The Yankee Way will remind you of your dad, and the importance of doing things the right way. You’ll grow to love it. Then you’ll become a world champion.

Dear 14-year-old Mike. I write to you today as a 60-year-old man, and I have some news from the future that you probably aren’t going to believe.

When you walk off the pitch, you’ll tell yourself something that will change the rest of your career.

Dear 21-year-old Ryan: I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but the truth is… You don’t know shit.

Querido Yonder de ocho años. Tienes que dejar de llorar.

Mom and Dad’s plan is not for you to spend the rest of your life scrubbing toilets or cleaning warehouses, Yonder. I promise you, it’s not.

I want to tell you about the most difficult thing you will ever experience, more difficult than anything that will ever happen on the football field.

I hope, when you open this letter 50 years from now, there are skate videos and animations and drawings and books with your name on them.

You are smiling because football is fun. Why would you be serious? Your goal is to spread joy. Creativity over calculation.

La verdad es que siempre estas sonriendo porque el futbol es divertido. ¿Por qué deberías estar serio? Tu meta es la de difundir alegría.

Bem, você está sorrindo porque o futebol é divertido. Por que você ficaria sério? Seu objetivo é espalhar a alegria.

No matter how many goals you let in, the feeling of making just one save makes it all worth it. That’s how you know you’re on the right path.

You need to learn a practical lesson. Grit alone is not going to save you from sinking.

I write this to you today as a 41-year-old man who is retiring from the game. I write to you as a man who is completely at peace with himself.

This sporting life you’re about to embark on is going to be incredible.

There will be obstacles to overcome, and a lot of people will doubt you along the way. Do yourself a favor, Danny: Let it bother you.

I’ll allow you one — one! — Ferrari. The red one, the one you’re dreaming about when you go to sleep tonight after winning that under-12s title.

Some of your greatest athletic feats will occur while you’re high, but not because you’re high. Understand that distinction.

Here's what I want you to think about before you jump off that starting block or dive into that pool: Why are you doing this?

The most important advice I can give to you is to make sure your parents remain PARENTS and not managers.

Wear the U.S. jersey with honor and pride and love. It will be something that never gets old.

Dear Toine. It’s the summer of 2001 and you’re on top of the world. Michael Jordan is on his comeback tour, and you have spent the summer working out in Chicago

My baby sister, putting me on an And1 mixtape. That’s when I knew you were going to be something special.