Ten International Footballers Who Are Devoted Christians

 

When it comes to sports, football is the most popular sport in the world, with approximately 3.5 billion fans globally. Many international footballers are incredibly wealthy and live luxurious lifestyles.

Despite the fame, fortune, and luxury, some players have remained steadfast in their Christian faith. In this article, we will be talking about 10 international footballers who are devoted Christians.

1. Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka is an Arsenal star who plays as a right winger. He is a devout Christian and does not hesitate to publicly declare his faith in God. During an interview, he mentioned that he reads the Bible every night and spoke about the importance of God's presence in his life.

2. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is one of the most famous football players in history. He is a Catholic and was born in Argentina, where Christianity is the dominant religion, with 71% of the population identifying as Catholic. Messi often points his fingers upward after making the sign of the cross when he scores a goal as a way of thanking God.

3. Neymar

Neymar is a Brazilian professional footballer who played for Paris Saint-Germain between 2017 and 2023. He currently plays in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Hilal. Neymar is a devout Christian and frequently praises God on social media. He had a strong Christian upbringing in his native Brazil.

4. Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford is a Manchester United star who plays as a forward. He is a devoted Christian who has spoken about the role of faith in his life.

He has stated that his faith in God is reflected in the way he treats people. He has also talked about his values and how his mother influenced his upbringing, crediting her for instilling discipline, respect, and strong moral values in him.

5. Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling plays as a winger for Chelsea. He is a committed Christian and attributes his faith to the influence of his mother. Sterling has openly stated that he prays regularly. In 2013, he made a statement affirming his strong belief in God.

6. Carney Chukwuemeka

Carney Chukwuemeka plays for Chelsea as an attacking midfielder. He has been very vocal on social media about his love for God. His Instagram bio reads: "100 percent Jesus."

After an impressive start at Chelsea, he suffered an injury setback. In response to the injury, he posted a message quoting 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

7. Cody Gakpo

Cody Gakpo plays as a left winger for Liverpool. He centers his life around his faith in God. During an interview with the Dutch newspaper NRC, he stated:

"Not only in my career, but religion helps in my whole life. It's a lifestyle for me. I take the Bible with me everywhere, every day—whether I’m in the UK or elsewhere. If I can't go to church, I call the pastor. Faith gives me peace and strength when I need it. I often read the Bible before I go to sleep."

8. Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud plays as a striker for AC Milan. The World Cup winner is very outspoken about his faith in Christ. He has a tattoo on the inside of his right arm, written in Latin, which translates to:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" (Psalm 23).

In a 2019 interview with a French Christian magazine, he said:

"I try to speak about my faith whenever I can. I feel I have to use my media profile to talk about my commitment to Jesus Christ."

9. Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke plays as a winger for Chelsea. He frequently posts about his faith on social media. In one post, he shared Psalm 30:5:

"For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

In another post, he wrote:

"Lord, I love You for never ever leaving me."

10. Odion Ighalo

Odion Ighalo currently plays for the Saudi club Al-Wehda. He is another player who openly displays his Christian faith. Ighalo is often seen kneeling down and pointing to the sky in gratitude to God whenever he scores a goal. He also shares inspirational and biblical scriptures on his social media pages from time to time.

And that's our list of 10 professional footballers who are devoted Christians. 

I appreciate your time here. God bless you!