“My Faith is the most important thing. I believe that the moment I had a very personal relationship with God and I really knew what his word said. It was not about religion. It was about knowing that what the bible tells us is what he has left us.”
From making his debut in the 2014 FIFA world cup to helping his club win the champions league back to back. For all you football fans, I know you know who I am talking about. For all you novices, I am talking about KEYLOR NAVAS.
Name: Keylor Antonio Navas Gamboa
Date of Birth: 15th of December 1986
Sport: Football
Position: Goalkeeper
Country: Costa-Rica
Keylor Navas is a professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for his country, Costa-Rica and for his club, Spanish giants, Real Madrid.
He came into prominence when he made his debut at the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil for his country. As one of the underdogs of the tournament, he was vital to his country’s success in the World Cup. They got to the quarterfinal, held World Cup giants, the Netherlands for 120 minutes only to be beaten by a penalty shoot-out. Costa-Rica exited the tournament with their heads held high. After having previously in the group stages beaten football giants also, Uruguay and Italy, and held the English National team to a goalless draw.
His heroics in the world cup got him recognition and was subsequently signed by the Big Spanish club, Real Madrid. Where he has become their number one and reliable goalie. He was part and played a vital role in helping his team win the UEFA champions league back to back in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons.
Keylor Navas is a Christian and has spoken about his Faith saying “God for me comes first before every game, I kneel, I open my arms and pray.” Share on X
His favourite Bible passage is Galatians 1:10 where it says “AM I now trying to win the approval of people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Oh! What a declaration of faith. In a world where societal pressure has taken its toll on people. Where people easily get offended and there is that constant pressure to almost please everyone. This proclamation is what every Christian strive to adhere to. To please God and please Him only.
Keylor Navas has been married for almost 9years and has been blessed with two children. When asked what the success of his marriage was, he said: “ I think that first to have God in our heart, that is the most important thing for us which leads us to have many values that we try to keep, although as human beings we make mistakes.”
The goalkeeper recalled that knowing God and having a personal relationship with him, to be able to talk to God, to pray for things and feel that he(God) answers have been the most beautiful thing that has happened to him.
Knowing he plays with one of the best players in the world and considered the best player in his club, Real Madrid. Where some may consider him a god, Cristiano Ronaldo. Navas said,
“There is only 1 God, Cristiano is the best player in the world but God is God and totally different. Share on X“
Sources: Evangelical focus.(2017). Keylor Navas: “My Faith is the Most Important thing”. Retrieved March 15, 2018, from http://evangelicalfocus.com/lifetech/2582/Keylor_Navas_My_faith_is_the_most_important_thing
Wikipedia.(10 March 2018). Keylor Navas. Retrieved 15 March 2018 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keylor_Navas
Check out these other awesome articles;
Christians In Sports – Steph Curry
MASTERING THE ART OF JOY – Pastor Emmanuel Iren
