Balon de Buena Noticia
Scoring for Jesus Christ
Welcome to the Good News Soccer Ball initiative, where sports and faith unite! Our mission is to spread the Gospel through the universal language of soccer. Each Good News Soccer Ball features inspiring messages of faith, including the powerful words of Romans 6:23, reminding us of the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Embedded within each ball is a QR code that connects players across Latin America to stories of professional soccer athletes who have found faith in Christ. Through these testimonies, we aim to inspire and encourage all who play the beautiful game to consider the life-changing message of Jesus.
By partnering with churches, organizations, and soccer leagues, we distribute these balls as a tool for outreach and ministry, reaching communities with the message of hope and salvation. Join us in kicking off a movement where every goal scored is a celebration of both athletic achievement and spiritual victory.
Discover more about our mission, get involved, and bring the Good News Soccer Ball to your team or league. Together, let’s score for Christ and share His love with every kick!
Luis' Story – Mexico
Luis, a 12-year-old boy from a small village in Mexico, had always been passionate about soccer. Growing up in a community with little access to positive role models, Luis often found himself caught up in negative influences. One day, a local church soccer team hosted a tournament and invited the kids from the neighborhood to join. It was there that Luis met Carlos, a former professional soccer player who now served as a coach and mentor for the team. Carlos shared his testimony of how his life had been transformed by Jesus and encouraged the children to seek a relationship with God.
At first, Luis was hesitant, but as the days passed, he found himself captivated by the love and hope that Carlos had. After the tournament, Carlos gave Luis a soccer ball with a QR code that led him to a video testimony of other professional players who had also given their lives to Christ. Luis began to watch the videos, read the Bible, and eventually gave his life to Jesus.
Today, Luis is not only an active member of his local church but also encourages other kids in his community to explore their faith through soccer, just as he did.
Maria’s Journey – Colombia
Maria, a 10-year-old girl from Bogotá, Colombia, was struggling with her identity. She loved playing soccer with her friends, but many of them made fun of her for being "too serious" about the game. One day, her coach, a young missionary named Andrea, spoke about her own faith journey. Andrea shared how she had found peace and purpose through Jesus, and how God had guided her in both life and sport.
Maria was intrigued by Andrea’s story and, over time, began attending Bible study sessions after soccer practice. The group often talked about God's love and how He had a plan for each of them, even as they played sports. One evening, after a particularly inspiring Bible study, Maria prayed for the first time, asking Jesus into her heart.
Today, Maria’s faith has become a beacon for others in her neighborhood. She continues to play soccer, using her platform to share the Gospel with her teammates and friends.
Javier’s Testimony – Guatemala
In Guatemala, 14-year-old Javier had always been fascinated with soccer. His family, however, struggled with poverty, and soccer was often seen as a luxury they couldn’t afford. When a church-run soccer league started in his community, Javier was thrilled. The league provided free coaching, uniforms, and most importantly, an opportunity for kids to learn about Jesus Christ.
At first, Javier joined just for the game. But as the season went on, the coaches shared stories of how Jesus had made a difference in their lives. One coach, Pastor Ricardo, talked about how soccer had been a way for him to bond with the kids and lead them to Christ. Pastor Ricardo invited Javier to a youth retreat where he learned more about God’s love and forgiveness. At the retreat, Javier felt a deep sense of peace and decided to dedicate his life to Christ.
Javier now leads Bible studies for other young soccer players and dreams of becoming a coach who can use soccer to spread the Gospel to children throughout his country.
Meet The Team
Across the globe, professional soccer players are using their platforms to boldly share their faith in Jesus Christ. While the world watches their every move on the field, many of these athletes have taken the opportunity to shine a light on their personal beliefs, showing the world that their true victory comes not from the game, but from the love and grace of God.
One such player is Marcus Rashford, whose faith has been a central part of his life. Beyond his incredible performances for Manchester United, Rashford has spoken openly about how his Christian faith guides him both on and off the pitch. He has expressed how his relationship with God keeps him grounded, especially during challenging times, and he’s used his platform to serve others, fighting for social justice, hunger relief, and more—always attributing his motivation to his faith in Christ.
Lionel Messi, widely considered one of the greatest players in history, has also spoken about his Christian beliefs. He frequently thanks God for his success, acknowledging that his incredible talent and achievements are ultimately a gift from God. Messi’s humility and gratitude serve as an example to millions of fans, reminding them that true success isn't just about trophies, but about staying faithful and grateful in the process.
Other players like Neymar Jr., Odion Ighalo, and Edinson Cavani have also made it clear that their faith plays a pivotal role in their lives. Neymar, known for his flashy style of play, doesn’t shy away from openly displaying his love for Christ. He has been seen celebrating goals with gestures of prayer and giving thanks to God. Ighalo and Cavani, both of whom have made significant impacts at the highest levels of soccer, also openly speak about how their Christian faith influences their decisions and actions on the field.
These athletes serve as a powerful reminder that faith and sports are not mutually exclusive. Through their stories, they demonstrate that being a follower of Christ transcends the boundaries of the locker room and the stadium. By publicly sharing their love for Jesus, they inspire millions of fans to consider their own spiritual journeys, using their influence to make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God.
As the world continues to watch, these players stand firm in their faith, reminding us that every victory on the field is an opportunity to bring glory to God and share the hope of the Gospel with the world.
The Good News of the Gospel
The gospel is the good news that God became man in Jesus Christ. He lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died—in our place. Three days later, He rose from the dead, proving He is the Son of God and offering the gift of salvation and forgiveness of sins to anyone who repents and believes in Him.
Would you like to invite Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life?
Simply pray this prayer:
Dear Jesus,
I come to You today as a sinner in need of Your grace. I believe that You are the Son of God, that You died for my sins, and that You rose again to give me eternal life. I repent of my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. I surrender my life to You and invite You into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for loving me, for dying for me, and for giving me the gift of eternal life. I trust in You and commit to follow You all the days of my life in Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
NEXT STEPS:
1. Find a good, Bible teaching church that will disciple you into being a true follower of Christ.
2. Celebrate your salvation into eternal life and share it with others!