CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS TESTIMONIES One of the interesting features of the tournament has been the clear outward displays of faith from Christian players, such as Englands Daniel Sturridge and Brazils David Luiz. The whole World Cup seems to have been full of footballers who are proud and open about the religious beliefs they hold, and Sundays final, in which Germany face Argentina, will be no exception With fellow countryman Pope Francis cheering on from the sidelines, Argentina include a strong core of Catholic players. Lionel Messi, arguably the worlds greatest player, is a committed believer, who described meeting Francis last year as one of the highlights of his life. He often crosses himself on the pitch, thanks the heavens after scoring, and is rumoured to have undertaken a significant pilgrimage to Medjugorje, a holy Catholic shrine in Herzegovina. Its not only Messi who flies the faith flag however. Team-mates Maxi Rodriguez and Javier Mascherano - both former Liverpool players - joined their talismanic captain during the audience with the Pope, as did Manchester Citys Pablo Zabaleta. And theres one Argentinian player who takes things even further - a strong Christian, striker Ezequiel Lavezzi has a tattoo of Jesus Christ emblazoned across his chest. Thanks to the on-pitch activities of team such as Brazil, the faith of South American players may come as little surprise. However, lining up in opposition on Sunday night is a team from Europe with just as strong a religious contingent. Germany too boast several Catholics, including the Polish-born strikers Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who supports a Catholic youth club and social action project in his home town. Klose told a journalist: I am a devout Catholic... belief in God has a permanent place in my private life. The team also includes a number of Protestant players, including young attacking midfielder Mario Götze, who recently posted on his Facebook page: Dear God, I want to take a minute, not to you to ask for something, but simply to say thank you for everything I have. And rather cryptically, team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger claims he says a little prayer, now and then to the top, and is convinced that God is within the game of my life. In defence, Germany can field a triumvirate of Christian players. Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, who is an ambassador for the Evangelical Youth and Child Hospice in Wilhelmshaven, says Christ has taught us to be there for others, while colleague Jerome Boateng is covered in Christian tattoos. Marauding full-back Philipp Lahm has been a public supporter of the Ecumenical church in Munich, and told an interviewer that after life not everything is over, and described Jesus as the most important person in history. Germany, like Argentina, can claim Papal support - this time from the now-retired Pope Benedict. Which only adds to the theory that God is unlikely to support or favour one team over the other on Sunday night. Whoever wins however, the tournament leaves two inspiring legacies - a festival of fantastic football which will live long in the memory, and an event, watched by billions around the globe, at which many players were unashamed to tell the world of their faith in Jesus. As the World Cup kicks off in Brazil Christian Today presents a (very attacking) XI of players wholl be representing their countries there, and are open - to varying degrees - about their Christian Faith. Tim Howard - Goalkeeper, USA Like team-mate Brad Guzan, with whom hell compete for the goalkeepers jersey in Brazil, Howard is a strong evangelical Christian who has appeared in various evangelistic films and resources. David Luiz - Defender, Brazil Famously used to drive to training at his old club Benfica in a van with a Christ is Life sticker on it, then at Chelsea laid hands on team-mate Fernando Torres live on Sky TV. Torres went on to score twice in a 5-0 win. Thiago Silva - Defender, Brazil Strong Christian who credits his recovery from tuberculosis to God. He told French channel Canal+ I almost died from TB in Russia several years ago. God saved me. Wesley Sneijder - Midfielder, Holland The Dutch midfield maestro - one of the stars of the last World cup - was baptised a Catholic after being influenced by his devoutly-religious wife, and Catholic team-mate Javier Zanetti. Raheem Sterling - Attacking Midfielder, England On a journey of faith after a wild-child period - he now tweets Bible passages and claims to pray before games. He told the Daily Mail: When the time is right, I will fully be Christian. My mum is a big help, a big influence in that. Faith is an important thing for me. Every match day I put faith in God. Park Chu-Young - Striker, Korea Republic Exciting attacker who, despite a frustrating period at Arsenal, told the Guardian: The first and main reason why I play is to evangelize people. It would make me happy if just one person became interested in Christianity because of me. Daniel Sturridge - Striker, England Makes no secret of his Christian faith, regularly crediting heaven when things go his way Javier Hernandez - Striker, Mexico The Manchester United forward is famous for praying on the pitch before kick-off. Shola Ameobi - Striker, Nigeria The former Newcastle striker and his brother Sammy are two of the Premier Leagues most vocal Christians. Shola told The Guardian: Its hard for any Christian in a secular world not to conform to the pressures to do things other people are doing. Thats one of the things Ive been dealing with, or trying to deal with, most of my career. And then theres... Wayne Rooney - Striker, England Self-confessed God TV viewer who found Todd Bentleys revival services powerful and touching - has his strike partner Sturridge been having a word? Cristiano Ronaldo - Attacking Midfielder / Forward, Portugal Arguably the worlds best player in the last year, Ronaldo is a practicing Catholic, who told the Daily Mirror in 2013 that faith was one of his priorities Despite an absolutely devastating loss at the hands of the German side last night, Brazils David Luiz and Luis Gustavo dropped to their knees to pray as the final whistle blew.After goalkeeper Júlio César conceded a humiliating 7 goals, helped along by some downright terrible defending from Luiz, Brazils squad have become a national – even international – joke.But Luiz, who is a devout Christian and is famous for praising God on the pitch, immediately fell to the ground and prayed in a stunning display of faith in defeat, joined by his teammate Gustavo.My faith in Jesus gives me strength to keep on going out onto the field and to do my best, but I also want to inspire others - that is what God inspires me to do, Luiz has said previously.For me, true life is found in the relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe that everything in life belongs to God and he has a clear plan for us if we follow him.He was less positive last night, however, giving a post-match interview in which he begged the forgiveness of his country.Apologies to everybody, apologies to all the Brazilian people. I just wanted to see my people smile, he said tearfully.We all know how important it was for me to see all of Brazil be happy, at least because of football. They were better than us. They prepared better. They played better.Its a very sad day but its also a day from which to learn.However, though Christians have been keen to praise Luiz and his faithful teammates for their trust in the Divine, some have suggested that it just might not be enough Oscar Pistorius tweets Bible verse, passage from Auschwitz survivors memoir Brazil 2014: 10 amazing God moments of the World Cup 10. Edison Cavani gives Uruguayan strikers a better name An evangelical Christian, Cavani so endeared himself to the church in Naples (where he once played) that the local Archbishop declared God serves himself by having Cavani score goals. Cavanis goal against Costa Rica wasnt enough to win the game for Uruguay, but he was still clear about giving God the credit for his personal success. When asked by a newspaper if he is an athlete of Christ, he replied no, no, no. I am an athlete for Christ. 9. Vincent Kompany shows how to be a sportsman After USA Goalkeeper and devout Christian Tim Howard gave the performance of his life in the defeat to Belgium, victorious captain Vincent Kompany took to twitter to praise Howards performance rather than celebrating his own. A great example of a sporting role model being first, and yet also last, all at the same time. 8. Joel Campbells Psalm 27 secret comes good Every World Cup tournament throws up a new star name from nowhere - a hero who emerges from relative obscurity to light up the global stage. One such player at World Cup 2014 has been 22-year-old Joel Campbell, who has been the talisman of Costa Ricas unlikely success. Campbell says that God is the first pillar in his life, ahead even of family, and recites Psalm 27 before every game - including the match against Uruguay, in which he scored. 7. When no other explanation would do - Argentina invoke God again When tournament favourites Argentina scraped through a second-round tie with Switzerland, their national press returned to familiar territory. The Post of God, was their best explanation for why Swiss substitute Blerim Dzemailis goal-bound header bounced back off the woodwork - a reference to Diego Maradonas infamous 1986 Hand of God goal against England. 6. Daniel Sturridge praises Jesus It was the moment that briefly inspired a nation: Daniel Sturridges equaliser for England against Italy put his team back in the tournament - for a while. As he wheeled away, the TV cameras caught him praising God with the words: I love you Jesus, and I praise you father. 5. Redemption for Julio Cesar After a bizarre turn of events meant he was both Brazils no.1 and QPRs third choice goalkeeper, Julio Cesar had a lot to prove as he stepped into the Cauldron of a second-round penalty shoot-out against Chile. Moments before he faced the first spot-kick, his friend and fellow goalkeeper Victor handed him a rosary and crucifix, which he placed in the goal. His magnificent performance - saving two penalties - led to widespread acclaim, and - as he was interviewed after the match, Cesar breaking down in tears. Only God and my family know what I went through (at QPR) he wept. 4. Lionel Messi thanks the heavens Devout Catholic Lionel Messi has friends in high places - last year he was granted a meeting with fellow Argentine Pope Francis. For two reasons then, the pontiff will have reasons to cheer as Messi has lit up the World Cup with his silky skills and explosive finishing - not to mention his God-honouring celebrations 3. Giorgio Chiellini extends grace to Suarez It was the most controversial moment of the whole World Cup, as Uruguayan front man Luis Suarez chomped Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder, leaving behind a very nasty dental imprint. Suarez was given a huge ban, but his victim refused to kick him when he was down. Its all forgotten, the Italian wrote on Twitter. I hope FIFA will reduce your suspension. 2. The amazing Colombia team give God the glory Led by new superstar James (say Hamez) Rodriquez, the brilliant young Colombian side are in no doubts about who has the overall victory. The side is full of Christians, while arguably their best player, Radamel Falcao, is a volunteer youth pastor who has missed the tournament through injury. 1. Neymar - the 10% man - lives up to the hype The pressure on his shoulders as the home hero has been immense, but with four goals in the first three games, Brazils Neymar demonstrated remarkable composure for a man so young (hes just 22). Part of the reason could be his stable faith in God; a committed Christian, he tithes 10% of his astronomical Barcelona salary to his church.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 09:47:01 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015