soccer

The Latest

Luis de la Fuente, Spanish national soccer coach.

Euro 2024: Bishops highlight the faith of the coach of Spain’s victorious soccer team

Jul 15, 2024

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Several Spanish bishops have congratulated the country’s national soccer team and highlighted the Catholic faith of their coach, Luis de... Read more

"Without God, nothing in life has meaning," says Spanish national soccer team coach Luis de la Fuente Castillo.

Coach says making sign of the cross before game ‘is not superstition, it’s faith’

Jul 12, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

“I have faith,” said Luis de la Fuente Castillo, coach of the team that will play in the Euro Cup... Read more

Pope Francis watches a friendly soccer game between Italian professional soccer players with children clad in uniforms as part of the first World Children’s Day on May 25, 2024, at Olympic Stadium in Rome.

Pope Francis meets with 50,000 for World Children’s Day in Rome’s Olympic Stadium

May 25, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“In you, children, everything speaks of life and the future. The Church, as a mother, welcomes you and accompanies you... Read more

Pope Francis meets with professional soccer players from the Celtic Football Club, a team founded by an Irish Catholic religious brother, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis meets with professional soccer team founded by a Catholic religious

Nov 29, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis met Wednesday with professional soccer players from the Celtic Football Club, a team founded by an Irish Catholic... Read more

Luis Manuel Díaz, father of soccer player Luis Díaz (center), along with Francisco Ceballos, bishop of Riohacha (right), and Monsignor Héctor Henao, delegate for Church-state relations, who formed the humanitarian commission in charge of facilitating Díaz's release.

Church in Colombia thanks God for release of kidnapped father of soccer star Luis Díaz

Nov 9, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

Luis Manuel Díaz, father of soccer player Luis Díaz, was held captive for nearly two weeks by the rebel group... Read more

Liverpool's Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in Liverpool, northwest England on Sept. 3, 2022.

Colombian bishops call for release of kidnapped father of soccer star and others 

Nov 9, 2023

By Andrés Henríquez

The bishops called for the immediate release of Luis Manuel Díaz, the kidnapped father of Colombian soccer star Luis Díaz,... Read more

Ronaldo Luís Nazario da Lima.

‘The Phenomenon’ is baptized at age 46: Soccer great Ronaldo Nazario embraces Catholic faith

Sep 13, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The Brazilian and world soccer legend nicknamed “The Phenomenon” took a significant step in his life of faith by receiving... Read more

Soccer player Olivier Giroud, center forward for France, in victory over Argentina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

French soccer player Olivier Giroud sends WYD message to 40,000 French pilgrims 

Aug 1, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The 36-year-old striker sent a message to the youth of France in Lisbon encouraging them to become “missionary disciples” and... Read more

The World Cup arrived Jan. 4, 2023, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján in Argentina.

The Virgin and the national soccer team give hope to Argentines, priest says

Jan 6, 2023

By CNA Staff

The World Cup won by the Argentine soccer team arrived Wednesday at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján as... Read more

Lionel Messi

Will Messi keep his promise to the Virgin Mary after winning the World Cup?

Dec 19, 2022

By CNA Staff

Lionel Messi, 35, played his fifth World Cup wearing Argentina’s jersey and the team became world champion by beating France... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, Sept. 28, 2022

Head doctor for Madrid soccer team calls Pope Francis a ‘very stubborn patient’

Nov 23, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican has recruited the head doctor of a Madrid soccer team among a team of specialists to help treat... Read more

Bishop Stefan Oster

Ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup, bishop calls for ‘critical look’ at situation of Christians in Qatar

Nov 17, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The “sports bishop” of the German Bishops’ Conference on Thursday called for a critical look at conditions in the competition’s... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the Argentine dwarf soccer team at an audience on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis highlights the courage of Argentine dwarf soccer players

Oct 28, 2022

By CNA Staff

On Wednesday morning Pope Francis received the dwarf Argentine soccer team in an audience, encouraging them to continue with courage... Read more

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Soccer manager turned priest shares message of peace ahead of World Cup playoffs

Oct 7, 2022

By CNA Staff

Father David Jasso appealed to players and fans to remember “that sports and soccer are also a gift from God.” Read more

Real Madrid offers the Champions League trophy to Our Lady.

Real Madrid offers European Cup to the Virgin of Almudena

May 31, 2022

By Eduardo Berdejo

Real Madrid CF returned Sunday to Spain after winning the EUFA Champions League final, and offered the Virgin of Almudena... Read more

Pope Francis with members of the ‘Pope’s Team - Fratelli tutti’ in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, Nov. 20, 2021.

Pope Francis meets the ‘Pope’s Team’ ahead of friendly soccer match

Nov 20, 2021

By CNA Staff

The papal team includes Swiss Guards and migrants. Read more

Pope Francis holds a soccer ball in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Aug. 26, 2015. L'Osservatore Romano.

Pope Francis fields Vatican soccer team in friendly match against Roma minority

Nov 11, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The soccer match is intended to counter racism and discrimination. Read more

Pope Francis meets a delegation from the Italian soccer club Sampdoria Feb. 19, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis to soccer players: ‘The most beautiful victories are those you win as a team’

Feb 19, 2021

Pope Francis said on Friday that participation in sports can help people to grow in holiness, stressing the importance of... Read more

Gianluigi Buffon plays in goal for Juventus in the Coppa Italia on Feb. 13, 2020. Credit: sbonsi via Shutterstock.

Leading soccer goalkeeper in Italy faces penalty for blaspheming

Jan 27, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

A leading Italian soccer player is facing a possible ban after allegedly blaspheming last month.  Read more

Pope Francis gives a thumbs-up at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square on March 21, 2018. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Pope Francis congratulates Italian soccer team on win against Roma

Jan 20, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis met on Wednesday with players of the northern Italian soccer club Spezia after they eliminated the fourth-seeded A.S. Roma... Read more