Several members of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad have credited their Catholic faith after Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final victory over Argentina.
Match-winner Ferran Torres, whose extra-time goal secured the title, said his success was rooted in his faith.
“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 added, “because I think we deserved it and we gave it our all.”
In a video released before the final, the Barcelona forward spoke about the importance of his faith.
“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.
Captain Rodri, who was named player of the tournament after returning from a long-term injury, also pointed to his faith.
“I am very Christian, so I'm sure 'someone' has helped me from above,” he said after the final.
“That’s the secret of the national team,” Rodri said of Spain’s unity and resilience. “We’re always going to go for you. In the end, God rewards you. We’ve been brave.”
Midfielder Mikel Merino, who scored decisive goals against Portugal and Belgium during Spain’s run to the title, also referenced his faith after the quarter-final win over Portugal.
“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.
“Long live San Fermín!” he added.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has also spoken openly about his Catholic faith. In a recent interview with El Resurgir de Madrid, he said: “Yes, I do believe. I am a Catholic.”
“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 also said he was surprised by the attention his faith has received.
“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.
Before Spain’s semi-final against France, he said he prayed 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.
He made similar remarks before Spain’s Euro 2024 final victory over England.
“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.
The players' comments come as Catholicism remains Spain's largest religion, though the country has become increasingly secular. The latest official figures from the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) show that 52.8% of Spaniards identify as Catholic, including 16.2% who say they are practising Catholics.