After Spain’s triumph over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, several of the stars credited the influence of their Catholic faith for the dramatic victory.
Game-winning goal-scorer Ferran Torres, who has suffered heavy criticism for his inconsistency in front of the net in his home country, said his heroics in extra-time were made possible by divine grace.
“Thank God,” Torres said after the final, “he always gives me the strength to keep going, and in the end, as I say, God gives things to those who deserve them most.”
“The goal is the least important thing,” he said.
“Right now all I want is to grab that cup and squeeze it as much as possible because I think it’s the dream of 47 million people who were on the field,” he said, “because I think we deserved it and we gave it our all.”
Shortly before the final, a video was released in which Torres, who plays for FC Barcelona, expanded on the place his faith plays in his life.
“I have a cross and a statue of the Virgin Mary; in the end, I think it’s something that gives me a lot of support, having a lot of faith, and for me, that’s very important,” he said.
Spain’s captain Rodri, a defensive midfielder who was crowned player of the tournament, also credited the role of God in his success, particularly after he recently suffered a terrible injury that kept him out for months.
“I am very Christian and someone has helped me from above,” he said after the final.
“That’s the secret of the national team,” Rodri said, speaking about the togetherness and bravery that kept Spain pushing right until the end of the game.
“We’re always going to go for you. In the end, God rewards you. We’ve been brave,” he said.
Mikel Merino, who scored a last minute winner against Portugal and then Belgium as Spain progressed through the World Cup, paid tribute to San Fermín who is traditionally venerated as the co-patron saint of Navarre, Spain, where Merino is from, and after whom the famous festival is named which features the bull run.
“It means a lot. I don’t know if it’s San Fermín or who, but he seems to be there for me every time the festivities are near and there’s a match like this. It seems I’m lucky enough to score a goal, and that means a lot to me,” he said after Spain’s victory over Portugal on July 7.
“Long live San Fermín!” he added.
Luis de la Fuente
Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, has also been public about the inspiration he draws from his faith. He recently reaffirmed his faith in an interview with the website El Resurgir de Madrid. “Yes I do believe. I am a Catholic,” he stated.
“In my experience, I’m happy. I love it, it gives me a lot of strength, it gives me a lot of confidence. It has allowed me to be the person I am today,” he added.
De la Fuente in the same interview also expressed surprise at how his faith was such a talking point.
“I don’t understand why some people, after those public statements I made about my creed and religious beliefs, now approach me in the street to thank me for that testimony,” he said.
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Before Spain’s semi-final against France on July 14, de la Fuente explained that he prays every day “but not because I’m in a World Cup or expecting to get a result.”
“I thank Him every day, every day I wake up feeling good, I look at myself and say: another day I can enjoy life. I give thanks for those details. I pray because I pray every day, not for Him to help me more,” he added.
Speaking before Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the European Championship in 2024 he offered more insight into his prayer life. “I’m not superstitious at all. I pray every day. I don’t wear a yellow shirt on the day I win. If I pray today and tomorrow, it’s because I’ve been doing it for a long time,” he said.
