Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Allison Becker, Noah Sadiki, Gabriel Jesus and Jurrin Timber often publicly share how their faith shapes their lives as world-class footballers.
Gabriel Jesus with an undershirt bearing the words 'I belong to Jesus'. / [link]Ballers In God[/link]
Football continues to draw billions of fans across the world, and 2025 saw a significant shift in audience interest, stadium attendance, digital engagement, and broadcast coverage.
The English Premier League was the most-watched league worldwide in 2025, followed by the Spanish league (La Liga) and the German Bundesliga.
Some of the world's best footballers play in the English league. Among them are many Christians who publicly share their faith with the millions of fans who watch and follow them every day.
Two of those players compete for the team that has won the league the most times in recent years: Manchester City. They are Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo.
Belgian winger Jérémy Doku recently released a six-episode video podcast on YouTube, in which he shares his faith journey. “I do not want fans to see me as a footballer, but as a son of God, that is reason why I filmed this. There is a before and after and I want to share that”, he said in one of the videos.
“For me, football isn’t just a game, it’s a ministry. I see what I do on the pitch as something bigger than myself. I want to glorify Jesus with it”, he stressed.
Former Bournemouth forward and Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has just signed for Manchester City. A few weeks ago, he prayed with the pastor who recently baptised him before his game against Tottenham, and scored with his final touch for Bournemouth.
“My faith gives me Spirit and bite in my game. It makes me feel protected and gives me confidence. I pray for the team all the time”, he said in social media. When Semenyo recently scored and Jérémy Doku provided the assist, both gave glory to God in the field.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is considered one of the best in the world. He is very outspoken about his faith and is often seen carrying his Bible into the stadium and reading it before training.
“I am a man of faith. Many people know that. But a lot of people do not know that real faith came to me later in life […] Faith is not something that can be seen, or even put into words. It is a force that is more powerful than just a feeling of emotion, or a slogan. It is the complete trust in the Son of God, Jesus Christ”, he pointed out in an interview with The players tribune.
Belgian and DR Congolese Sunderland AFC Central Midfield, Noah Sadiki, is also a devout Christian. “I feel well talking about my faith because it's giving me peace and I thank every day my Lord and Savior to give me another day to enjoy the sport I did since I was young”, he said to the press during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) .
After his first AFCON game, Sadiki was asked about the secret behind his strong form on the pitch. He responded by simply showing his Bible.
Arsenal continues to be at the top of both the Premier and Champions Leagues, with many of its players publicly thanking God for the victories almost at every game.
One of them is Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who, after 11 months off the field due to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, scored for the first time against Aston Villa and revealed an undershirt bearing the words 'I belong to Jesus'. “I have this t-shirt because Jesus obviously saved my life”, he said afterwards.
"All the glory to Jesus [...] There is always a reason, even for the difficult times. I learnt that during my 11 months out of the pitch. Without Jesus, for sure, I would not be here", he said after scoring twice in Arsenal's last Champions League game against Inter Milan.
Dutch right back Jurrien Timber, joined his fellow believer and teammate to celebrate that first goal. Known as ‘Pastor Timber’, he continued to share scripture on X before every game.
“Grateful to God for every step this year. True peace comes from knowing He is in control. Starve distractions and feed your focus. Results take time,trust God, work hard, stay consistent, and be patient”, Timber recently posted in his Instagram.
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