They told me “you are nobody” but they were not number one.

Riccardo Messina quote explanation

This quote plays with the idea of identity and status, emphasizing a clever wordplay with the terms “nobody” and “number one.” Let’s break it down:

1. “They told me ‘you are nobody'” – This part suggests that someone or some people conveyed a message to the speaker, implying insignificance or a lack of importance. The term “nobody” is often used to denote someone without distinction or prominence.
2. “But they were not number one” – Here comes the twist. The quote suggests that despite being labeled as “nobody,” the speaker points out that those who made this statement were also not “number one.” “Number one” typically refers to being the best, the most successful, or the top-ranked. The implication is that the critics or those dismissing the speaker weren’t themselves at the top or highly accomplished.

The clever play on words highlights the irony in the situation. The individuals who criticized the speaker for being “nobody” were, in fact, not at the pinnacle of success or achievement. It’s a subtle way of asserting that everyone has their own value and significance, regardless of external judgments.