Top 10 Christian Footballer Stars in Recent Time

         

This list is a collection of football’s top ten Christian footballers in recent times. The parameters for selection are based on a combination of success in the footballing world and a level of commitment to the Christian faith. Not all successful Christian footballers are listed here, and not all committed Christian footballers are listed here as well.

Here are Gospelnewsafrica’s Top Ten Christian Footballers;

10. Edison Cavani – Forward, Uruguay

The Uruguayan striker, for several years it has embraced the Christian faith and came to be part of that group of professional athletes in all disciplines who share a love for Jesus Christ and recognize him as Lord and Savior of their lives . These athletes have the responsibility to live a Christian life to the unanimous will of God in the world of sport “, explains the official site of the Athletes of Christ.

Cavani, who makes no secret of his faith he decided to tell in a book, he published for the series of enlargements Mondadori, in hisvventura human.

9. Javier Hernandez – Forward, Mexico

His pre-match routine that sees him kneel on the halfway line with his palms outstretched is far more than a request for a little extra help.

Known as the ‘Little Pea’, the dimunitive 24 year- old Mexican burst onto the Premier League scene in 2010, netting 20 times as the Red Devils picked up the 2010/11 Premier League title. After a difficult second season where injuries and International call ups hampered his effectiveness despite scoring 12 times, he will be looking to emulate his first season at Old Trafford.

A born goalscorer he has found the net so many times for clubs and country, but scoring goals is not the only thing he likes to do: “I like to pray”. Before every game he gets down on his knees in the centre circle and prays – “I like to ask God to take care of me, because he gave me the opportunity to play”.  Hernandez who recently became a Mexican Ambassador for UNICEF, a role in which will see him participate in a number of activities to encourage kids and teenagers not to abandon their education, also prays for the protection of his team mates and the opposition.

“I talk to God and I tell him to take care of the health of both teams because the worst thing for a sportsman are injuries and there are a lot of accidents on the pitch that nobody wants”.

8. Thiago Silva – Defender, Brazil

Thiago Silva lives the gilded life a soccer star playing in the big leagues in Europe.  He lives in Paris and plays for the French champions, Paris Saint Germaine.  In addition to his great skill as a defensive back, Thiago Silva’s deep Christian faith before and after the matches, when he is often seen praying, is evident.    

As C.S. Lewis wrote “there are no ordinary people” and Thiago Silva is a great example.

Although Thiago Silva was born to a desperately poor family that lived near a dangerous shantytown in the city of Rio de Janeiro, he was able to overcome these hardships and achieve great success in the eyes of the world.

As a professional soccer player, Thiago Silva has won many prizes, including being named as one of the top 11 players in Europe for three consecutive years.  But surely none of his professional achievements would have meant anything without the most amazing gift of all, the respect that his mother and grandfather had for Thiago’s God given right to life.

A report made by Globo TV Channel, the largest TV station in Brazil, revealed that Thiego’s mother, Angela, already had two children – a boy and a girl – when she became pregnant with Thiago.  She was convinced she couldn’t afford to raise another child, and despite feeling terrible pain at the thought of aborting her baby, she was convinced she had no other option.

“I was sitting on my father’s lap and I cried a lot. I didn’t want to have an abortion but I couldn’t bear another child,” she said. Angela’s father, however, convinced her not to abort the baby. “My father did not allow me to commit this sin,” recalled Angela.

. . .and what an Priceless advice that turned out to be. Thiago has since turned out to be one of the greatest defenders the world has ever seen.

      7. Neymar – Forward, Brazil

Certainly not the most religious footballer in deed, he certainly does do a lot of professing for someone who isn’t religious. When asked which European soccer club he would most like to play for, he responded:

I do not have any preference – the decision belongs to God.²

Furthermore, while Neymar believes all religions should be treated with respect, he’s pretty upset with institutions that aren’t kind to Catholics. Speaking of the Scottish soccer club, the Glasgow Rangers–who didn’t allow Catholics to play for them for a time–Neymar said:

I am no angel, but I respect all religions. But this is not the case with many people in Scotland. Scotland has problems because the rangers fans hate anything Catholic.

Rangers refused to play Catholic players for many years and they [were] fined by UEFA for racist chants. There is no place for racism in football.³

Perhaps the most assertive display of his faith was after his late goal that sealed Barcelona’s champions league win against Juventus earlier this year, he tied across his forehead a headband that read:

100% Jesus!

6. Wayne Rooney – Forward, England

Rooney is Catholic, and appears to be quite devout. During the 2010 World Cup, a reporter asked him a question about the rosary that he wore around his neck during practice, and the footballer said, “It’s my religion.” But then an official stepped in and told Rooney to stop discussing the topic, saying, “We don’t do religion.”¹

Luckily for those of us who do “do religion,” Rooney opened up to the press a couple years later. He said in an interview that he went to a Catholic school where he impressed the nuns in his religious education classes.² And while in those days, he mostly just prayed for his football club to win games, as an adult he takes his faith more seriously. He said,

I pray to God, of course. I believe in God. . . . I don’t pray to help me score goals. I pray for the health of me and everyone on the pitch. It is something I have always done. I pray at night. I pray for my family and friends and for the health of everyone I love.

After Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke City last season, in the wee small hours of the Sabbath, Rooney tweeted the evangelical Christian channel God TV: “@godtv I’m watching and feel you. Much love.” It was quickly removed (not before a slew of jokes), as was another tweet sent last year to US preacher Todd Bentley, whose work Rooney described as “Very powerful and touching”.

He doesn’t seem to be very forthcoming about his faith, but it is speculated that this is due to his brand managers having him cut down on his professions as it may not be very good for business.

Rooney, an English Catholic with twice as many Twitter followers as Pope Francis, is under greater scrutiny than most. No doubt his advisors fear constant jokes about miracles and membership of the God Squad. But it’s not really fair to stifle a grown man. Let Rooney be Rooney.

5. Ronaldo – Forward, Brazil (Retired)

Ronaldo was born in Brazil, and dropped out of school at a very young age to pursue a career in soccer. He went pro while still in his teens, initially signed to the Brazil national team, but has played for several European teams.

Although injuries sidelined him after his appearance in the 1998 World Cup, he returned to his winning team, Brazil, for the 2002 World Cup. In Brazil, Ronaldo was called The Phenomenon. He was named FIFA Player of the Year three times.

Ronaldo is rated amongst the best footballers of all time alongside the likes of Pele and Maradona. You would still find a few soccer faithful who watched his glory days that would vehemently refer to him as the best there ever was. He was previously married to another Brazilian soccer player, and has 4 children. His estimated net worth is $150 million.

           4.Daniel Sturridge – Forward, England

Daniel Sturridge has revealed he reads the Bible every morning. The Liverpool and England striker said his love of the book came from his parents who urged him to read it on a Sunday.

He said: “That was important for me growing up. It’s part of my routine and I do it every day.”

The family from Birmingham were not regular churchgoers but prayed a lot, he said.

Sturridge, 25, who joined Liverpool two years ago, said he owed his success to his parents and he still joins them for dinner each Sunday with his brother and sister.

He said: “It’s amazing to still have my family together as a unit and I’m grateful to God for that.

When he reached a half-century of top flight goals at the beginning of February, the striker tweeted: “Thanks to God for allowing me to score 50 prem goals.” And after winning a Barclays Player of the Month award back in September: “I do all through (sic) Christ who strengthens me.”

Wayne Rooney has often said that even though both he and Sturridge are both clearly believers, its not not as easy for him to publicly flaunt his faith as it is for Danny. It is still quite unclear why as he did not give further insight into the matter.

Daniel Sturridge is currently going through a very rough patch right now with injuries blighting his season, but we are hopeful all will be well soon.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo – Forward, Portugal

Ronaldo is a Catholic. At times, he considers himself highly religious, saying things like:

I collect crucifix ­necklaces – it’s because of my relationship with God. I always had a gift. I was shown the skills and I am a fantastic footballer but I do believe God gave me the gift.

Other times, he’s admits he’s not the most religious football player, saying: I am religious, in my own way, but not as much as Kaká for example.

So, marginally religious at least, I suppose. His family is certainly religious. Reports abound about his strongly Catholic family’s disappointment over Ronaldo’s decision to obtain sole custody of his son–a job they feel is best suited for a mother and a father.




Ronaldo has no tattoos on his body because once you get one, you won’t be able to donate blood for six months – a humanitarian practice he is constantly involved in.

2. David Luiz – Defender, Brazil

International football star and ex-Chelsea defender David Luiz vowed to abstain from sex until after he’s married in an Instagram post last week which included a picture from his recent baptism.

Luiz, 28, who plays for French football club Paris Saint-German and serves as vice-captain for the Brazil national team, was baptized into Hillsong Church in teammate Maxwell’s in-door swimming pool. He posted a message alongside the picture which read “I have chosen to wait.” Luiz said he will abstain from sex until he marries girlfriend Sara Madeira, according to The Telegraph.

He also included a verse from 1 Corinthians in his post.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new,” he wrote.

He then added: “How wonderful to live with you Lord, thank you for loving me so much and [taking] care of me! My life is yours, and I am your servant! What’re [sic] always in the center of all my decisions. I love my God! Amen!”

The Christian football player is linked to the Atletas de Cristo (Athletes of Christ) which is a nonprofit organization comprised of sportsmen and was started in Brazil back in 1984.

He was 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.

1. Kaka

To say that Kaká is religious would be a grave understatement. His life revolves around God and Jesus and spreading the “good word.” I mean, he’s said his favorite book is the Bible and his favorite music is gospel. But that’s just the beginning.

Kaká first really got into religion after a near-paralyzing swimming pool accident, from which he made a full recovery. Ever since the incident, he has fully given his life to God.

As a young man, Kaká joined the now-controversial Reborn in Christ Evangelical Church. The organization has come under fire for fraudulent practices and building church roofs that collapse on people. But that hasn’t stopped Kaká from giving 10% of his considerable earnings to the church. Nor has it stopped him from outwardly expressing his faith every chance he gets.

After every goal, Kaká raises his eyes and hands to thank God, and he thanks God for his talents, regularly saying things like:

The Bible says God can give you more than you even ask for and that is what has happened in my life.⁶

Perhaps his most famous statement was when his team, AC Milan, won a championship game and Kaká tore off his soccer jersey to reveal a t-shirt that read: “I Belong to Jesus.”⁷He can be more eloquent than that and as an Evangelical Christian, he feels the need to convert non-followers. He once said:

To those who already have Jesus: you have made the best choice and are in the best team. Go ahead. Do not give up. The fight is great, but we can only win being on Jesus’ side. To those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus: What are you doing being outside of this team?! Come to learn the Word of God, come to know who God really is.

Kaka and his wife Caroline Celico met in 2002 in their native country of Brazil. Despite their six year age difference, faith brought them together. They married 3 years later in 2005. So far, very normal. However, unlike basically every athlete we have covered to date… they were both still virgins on their wedding day.

Both Kaka and Caroline are very religious and openly celebrate their Christian faith. In 2007, Kaka proudly announced that the couple had remained celibate until tying the note. Kaka told the Italian Vanity Fair:

“The Bible teaches that true love waits until marriage. If our life today is so beautiful, I think it is because we waited.”

Kaka has hit the pinnacle of success as a footballer, winning almost every major accolade, with Club, Country and even has the highest individual player awards to his name. He is also a shining example of what a Christian should be.

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