Aside from being the most popular and notable sport across the globe, soccer is known for accepting players of different faith and beliefs such as Christianity, Islam, and even non-religious.
Well, while soccer might be against any form of racism, there are still fans that racially abuse players secretly due to their beliefs, but that is notwithstanding that the soccer players that get humiliated are no longer holding to their beliefs.
However, in this article, I will be sharing notable soccer players who are Christians that you might have not been sure of.
Christian Soccer Players
1. Ederson Moraes
Ederson Moraes, Manchester City and Brazil national team goalie is reportedly a Christian. The player also does not hide his religious belief as he is always seen kneeling to pray after and before a soccer match.
The Brazil International holds the same belief as most of his Brazilian and Manchester City teammates.
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2. Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker is a notable Christian soccer player that plays for the Brazil national team and Liverpool at the professional level.
The Liverpool first-choice goalie is also regarded as a religious leader that leads other soccer Christians. Reports have it that Alisson Becker regularly conducts baptism in his swimming pool as he has already baptized his Brazil and Liverpool teammate, Robert Firmino.
The Brazilian shot-stopper is one of the most committed soccer players to make the list.
3. Neymar Jr
Neymar Jr is another notable South American soccer player who is a devoted Christian that regularly praises God on his Social Media handle.
The Paris Saint Germain forward was brought up in the Christian way in his native Brazil.
Well, there was a time when it was reported that Neymar Jr was eligible to get £5 million annually if he avoids any political or religious propaganda.
4. Lionel Messi
One-time World Cup winner and seven times Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi is not just a devoted Christian but also a leader in Christianity.
He is a South American soccer player that shares the same belief with other South American soccer players such as Neymar Jr, Fred Rodriguez, Edison Cavani, Allison Becker, and others.
Messi’s belief is Catholic, and he was brought up the way he is by his parents in his native Argentina.
Other than that, the Barcelona legend regularly points his fingers up after scoring a goal, and this celebration is popular among other notable soccer players that are Christians.
5. Javier Hernández
Javier Hernández, former Manchester United player popularly known as Chicharito is a notable Christian that never ceases showing his religious belief on and off the pitch.
Before a match is kicked off, Chicharito is regularly captured going on his knees to pray in the Christian way, although the player mostly does this in crucial matches like finals or so.
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6. Edison Cavani
In South America, more than 70% of citizens are Christians of different doctrines such as Pentecostal, Catholic, and others. Arguably, Edison Cavani is among the more than 70% Christians in South America.
The former Manchester United and PSG forward regularly prays before and after some matches he is featured in.
7. Odion Ighalo
Former Manchester United and Nigerian forward, Odion Ighalo is a man of Christian belief. The player is a notable Christian soccer player who is also regarded as a philanthropist that welcomes everyone around him.
Despite having the worst playtime in Manchester United, the player moved to the Chinese league before settling in the Saudi Arabian’s league.
8. James Rodruíguez
Former Everton and Real Madrid midfielder, James Rodríguez is another soccer player that holds a Christian belief that you might not have known until now.
The player is now facing the worst moment in his career despite being a regular starter in his Bayern Munich days. As of recently, James Rodríguez is said to be a free agent after having his football contract terminated outside a league in Europe.
9. Thiago Silva
Chelsea leader and Brazil senior team captain, Thiago Silva is one of the most notable soccer players that is Christian.
Thiago is regularly seen praying in the Christian way before every match he is featured in. He also shares scriptural quotes on his social media handles and gives praises to God.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a notable roman catholic Christian who is devoted to his belief. His siblings and most of the people he regularly communicates with are also Christians.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward is also a notable philanthropist who regularly gives out dimes to the needy.
11. Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay, former Manchester United forward is another soccer player who is popularly known as a Christian who is devoted to his belief.
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The player points his Index fingers up after scoring in a match, which most Christians like Lionel Messi uses.
Other than that, Depay uses inspirational quotes as his captions on social media.
12. Mateo Kovacic
Croatia and Chelsea’s first team player, Mateo Kovacic is a well-known Christian who is devoted to his belief right from his childhood days. The player usually gets on his knees to pray to God before and after a match.
13. Georginio Wijnaldum
Georginio Wijnaldum is a notable Christian who is popularly known in Europe. The player has helped Liverpool win trophies in the past few years although he is now considered a PSG player despite lacking playtime.
14. Fred Rodriguez
Manchester United midfielder, Fred Rodriguez is another soccer player who is known as a Christian and has been holding up to his belief right from birth. Other than South American players like Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Thiago Silva, and others who are notable Christians, Fred is one of them.
15. Bukayo Saka
Still on the list of notable Christian soccer players, Arsenal youngster, Bukayo Saka is a Christian who is devoted and committed to his Christian belief. The player has been a religious believer since his birth. He was trained in the Christian doctrine by his parents.
Final Words
In this article, we have mentioned 15 notable Christian footballers that do not fail to portray religion in their craft. If you were on the lookout for soccer players that are Christians, do well to identify with the aforementioned names in this post.
I am sure that this is by no means an exhaustive list of Christian players as there are many more of them out there.