Kaká: Soccer’s Most Famous Evangelical
Goal celebrations generally fall somewhere in between raw displays of emotion (see Marco Tardelli in the 1982 World Cup final), incredible athleticism (can anyone beat Julius Aghahowa for that?), and sheer ridiculousness (sorry no video available, but see if you can recall Finidi George at the 1994 World Cup getting down on all fours before relieving himself on the corner flag). Recently, however, a new type of celebration has made its way into soccer: the religious celebration. And no player is more overt in praising God after scoring than the Brazilian Kaká.
Kaká’s celebrations initially appear simple. He raises both hands and lifts his head to the sky as he runs away from the goal. But the significance of these gestures is far more than meets the eye and begins to tell the story of one of the world’s most devoted religious soccer players.
Kaká is an evangelical Christian (Brazilian teammates Lucio and Edmilson are as well, but I am focusing on Kaká as he has the highest profile). He told the group Atletas de Cristo that he grew up in an evangelical family. “My parents were already saved and I grew up in the presence of the Lord.”
The young Brazilian’s faith became even stronger after he was baptized into the evangelical Reborn in Christ Church. He told Atletas de Cristo that was “when I began having a relationship of Father to son with God. … [S]omething supernatural happened to me. I can not explain it, but after that experience I got closer to God, more in-tuned with Him.”
Kaká is one of a growing number of evangelical Christians in Brazil. While Kaká’s homeland still has the largest Catholic population of any country in the world, the rise in evangelicals in the past few decades has been phenomenal. A recent article in the Washington Post offers some numbers:
Between 1980 and 2000, the number of those who identified themselves as evangelicals in national census counts doubled, to more than 26 million people in this country of about 185 million. The growth has changed the religious complexion of Brazil, where about 90 percent of residents identified themselves as Catholics in 1980. If the spread of the evangelical denominations continued at the same rate — an unlikely possibility, according to analysts — Catholics would be a minority here within 20 years.
But, as the same Washington Post article details, the rise of evangelical churches in Brazil has not been without controversy. Many of the churches focus on increasing personal wealth along with improving personal spirituality (and in this share many similarities with American evangelicals such as T.D. Jakes). But this monetary focus has made allegations of financial impropriety among church leaders particularly stinging. When Estevam and Sonia Hernandes-Filho, leaders of the a Brazilian evangelical church, were detained by U.S. Customs officials for attempting to bring in large amounts of undeclared cash, it was big news back in Brazil, where the couple is wanted for “siphoning off millions of dollars in followers’ money for personal enrichment.”
Estevam and Sonia Hernandes-Filho
News of the arrest of the Hernandes-Filhos was also notable because they head the Reborn in Christ Church, which counts a certain young man named Kaká among its disciples.The problems at the top of the church, however, have not filtered down to its most famous disciple. Kaká is described as having “impeccable manners and dedication” and has done work with the World Food Programme (see article titled Kaká Able to See Beyond Dollar Signs). He also has strong morals that he lives out in his professional life (the anti-Rooney, if you will): “I will not brawl … I am not supposed to be punching people up on the field or swearing.”
Kaká’s sense of morality also extends to his personal life. He objected to Carlos Alberto Parreira’s decision to allow the Brazilian players to have sex during the 2006 World Cup (maybe if the coach had listened, Brazil would have lived up to their potential). And, in what Alex Bellos said “must be a first for a footballer at his level” proudly declared himself to be a virgin at his 2006 marriage.
But, as defines evangelicals, Kaká is not satisfied to live out the Gospel in his own life. He has actively used his status as a professional athlete to promote his religious agenda. In addition to his more muted arms-raised celebration, Kaká has also made a habit of wearing t-shirts with evangelical messages underneath his uniform, which he exposes after scoring. The shirt he put on after winning the Champions League in 2003, which displayed the phrase “I belong to Jesus” (in English, a language he does not speak) was clearly intended to spreading a message to as wide an audience as possible.
Indeed, Kaká is open about his intentions. In his interview with Atletas de Cristo, he mixes the language of religion and soccer.
To those who already have Jesus: you have made the best choice and are in the best team. Go ahead. Do not give up. The fight is great, but we can only win being on Jesus’ side. To those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus: What are you doing being outside of this team?! Come to learn the Word of God, come to know who God really is.
And, in what was either a prescient piece of advice to his soon-to-become rotund Brazilian teammate Ronaldo, the t-shirt slogan that didn’t make the cut, or his personal message of salvation for humanity, Kaká says, “Stop eating cookies, while God offers us a banquet.”
Brought to you by www.mytestking.biz
If you have failed in certifications exams try once 70-542, MB3-462 product and mcts dumps material. You will recommend onwards as I recommend oracle dumps and 642-654 dumps.
April 17th, 2007 03:43
*pets Kaka*
May 4th, 2007 12:50
Kaka you are the best In goal scoring or in proclaiming Gospel of Jesus
May 24th, 2007 05:36
Thanks for being the light and salt for this world.
May 28th, 2007 11:20
[...] Belong to Jesus†t-shirt after AC Milan won the Champions League. As I have previously written, Kaká is perhaps the most high profile evangelical Christian soccer player. Given his incredible skill, Kaká is often given a platform to share his religious views and he [...]
June 13th, 2007 21:20
[...] a stage on which they can promote their religious beliefs (notably, AC Milan’s Brazilian star and Christian evangelical Kaká), others have more difficulty finding time for both [...]
December 10th, 2007 10:23
Kaka is the best! Bold with the faith and thats what counts. God loves evereybody, God bless Kaka for his boldness.
December 17th, 2007 21:26
Great Story. Would like to contact Ka-Ka. God bless you.. Adrian
December 18th, 2007 06:24
Peolple like Kaka help us truly understand that living for Jesus is not only possible but can be done in such a manner that our lives truly start making impact for God irrespective of what we do for a living.We can be steadfast,faithful,and even uncompromising towards sin,while depending on God to strenghten us daily as we boldly declare our faith in Jesus.nnwanjie@yahoo.co.uk
December 23rd, 2007 04:29
kaka is doing god’s service using his gift that god given to him .he is agood role model to everyone who like to do service and who are doing service.he is daring to show the power of god to everyone.
March 28th, 2008 17:14
Kaka,
Lots of respect for him! All that great players talking about bitches and cars! He earns enough money, but he doesn’t care about that stuff. He was a virgin when he get married! And after all, he believes in God!
PS: He’s the best player in the world!
April 22nd, 2008 03:34
At last a man that really deserves to be called a real man! His faith is incredible. I`ve never seen anyone like Kaka. He is perfect in every way, he hasn`t got only the looks but he has got even the brains. So keep on going like this cause you`re great as you are.
April 26th, 2008 21:05
kaka ur the best soccer player ever i admire you…. a greate christian who puts god fist..
May 26th, 2008 12:06
Pues yo veo que
kaka es una persona realimente
agradecida y apasionada
no solo por el Futbol
si no por el amor a Dios, y es un
Enorme ejemplo a seguir, para que nos demos cuenta que nuestros sueños
se pueden cumplir solo
que tengamos una meta, y una entrega con Dios y con nuestro sueño , pero encomendados en Dios.
May 30th, 2008 06:15
ACHO UMA GRANDE VERGONHA, O FATO DE CADA VEZ MAIS AUMENTAR O NÚMERO DE PASTORES LADRÕES E PEDOFILOS, NO BRASIL.LIGADOS AO CORRUPTO GOVERNO ATUAL, ELES TOMAM MAIS LIBERDADE, PARA FAZER TANTAS COISAS ERRADAS. É UMA IMENSA VERGONHA, VER O KAKÁ JUNTO COM O CASAL DE PSTORES DA RENASCER EM CRISTO – QUE NA VERDADE DEVERIA SE CHAMAR: RENASCER NO DIABO, POIS SERIA MAIS JUSTO. A BIBLIA JÁ NOS ADVERTE SOBRE A CHEGADA DESSES BLASFÊMADORES E LADRÕES, QUANDO FALA QUE ELES VIRIAM PARA MENTIR, MATAR E ROUBAR. A BIBLIA TAMBÉM FALA QUE ELES, COM PALAVRAS MANSAS E UM BOM LINGUAJAR: FARIA DE MUITO, NEGÓCIO. ESSES PASTORES PICALETAS – A AMIORIA NO BRASIL – VIVEM DO POUCO QUE OS POBRES TÊM. MUITOS SE METEM COM COISAS HORRIVEIS, PARA CONSEGUIR MAIS E MAIS DINHEIRO. MAS, DEUS QUE FEZ OS OLHOS, TAMBÉM PODE VER. ELE APENAS DEIXAR QUE ESSAS PESSOAS MUDEM O SEU CAMINHO, LHES DÁ O TEMPO PARA A MUDANÇA. MAS ELAS APENAS USAM O TEMPO PARA FAZER AINDA COISAS PIORES. ENTÃO, DEUS TEM QUE ARRANCÁ-LOS DA FACE DA TERRA, POIS SÃO ÁRVORESMORTAS, QUE NÃO DÃO FRUTO ALGUM. O BRASIL PRECISA SE LIVRAR DESTE CANCÊR QUE CHEGOU Á NOSSA SOCIEDADE.OS JORNAIS ESTÃO REPLETO DE REPORTAGENS DE PASTORES PEDOFILOS. ELES ATACAM CRIANÇAS ATÉ DE 1 ANOS DE IDADE, COMO MOSTRAM OS JORNAIS. ESSES DEMONIOS ESTÃO FAZENDO DO BRASIL, UMA SODOMA E GOMORRA.
June 18th, 2008 09:41
so all that rumors that he converted to islam is not true???!!! plz email me and confirm that iam correct .. apologize_again@hotmail.com
July 21st, 2008 11:30
KAKA’ I AM A VERY POOR CHILDREN BUT ALSO I AM VERY POOR CHOLDREN I FIND DEVICE THOU LOOK YOU.
I LOVE YOU KAKA’ AND I LOVE AC MILAN.PLEASE KAKA’ D’ONT GO TO CHELSEA PLEASE STAY AC MILAN AND KAKA’ YOU ARE MY FAVOURITE PLAYER FOOTBALL.
KAKA’ PLASE COME ON KOSOVO, TOWN GJAKOVA PLEASE.KAKA’ CONTACT MY PLEASE THIS IS MY E-MAIL ADDRES mpuq_pimi@hotmail.com PLEASE KAKA’………AND I LOVE YOU SON I LOVE VERY MUCH.CONTACT MY KAKA’ PLEASE KAKA’ PLEASE.
August 18th, 2008 04:52
kaka is my a good example for christian playera among the world. I’m christian players, we have
sports ministry in our country. Our county is Myanmar, where nargis cyclone was effected.We really love sports, especially fooball. Everytime we share about sports, you are always there.
Thank you so much for your good christian life,you encourage our sports ministry. We always pray for you. God bless more than now.
kathawn
September 7th, 2008 05:22
kaka thanks for being a good example for foot ball players like me and all the football fans all over the world
i want to become like you kaka
our God is a great GOD
October 28th, 2008 02:59
KAKA, the very best player of this generation. don’t lose the faith even though u might seem to be alone. i admire ur skillz
December 16th, 2008 10:28
kaka,
youre such a a great player
ur my favorite but not b.c i think ur gorgeous but because ur a great example and i love soccer as well
thank you!
January 18th, 2009 07:49
If Kaka joins Manchester City then perhaps he can put pressure on the Premiership to stop playing on the Lord’s Day. So many high profile celebrities (sport and music) are on the side of the devil with their morals and lifestyles, it is tremendous news that this country could have someone on the side of Christ at Manchester City.
January 28th, 2009 15:04
When I hear about KAKA and his beliefs, its amazing, because when I do die and go to heaven, I will meet him. Go on kaka after all I will meet and play football with you in heaven. I am a christian who believes in JESUS CHRIST. GOD HAS done so much for me in my life. I know I mess up but he forgives me.I BELONG TO JESUS.
January 29th, 2009 01:52
Please am a fan of AC MILAN and i am happy that u turn down the offer of Manchester City which show that u are not into money but what God say about ur life. keep the good work Kaka. Please brother, help me because i have a lot of financial problem (accommodation, health, family and a lot) but i want to share with as brethren in the Lord and i hope u will not disappoint me. pls reply is needed urgently to know my feet. please don’t refuse my request and send through zalo607@hotmail.com. Thank you
February 24th, 2009 12:29
Kaka you are my man ideal! you are the world handsomest, his sexyest player! I love You! Lilly from Hungary
May 4th, 2009 09:36
mi sueno es jugar futball profecional y estoy apunto de aser un paso en el cual se ke con la ayuda de DIOS todo es posible mi sueno es poder yegar aser un gran ejemplo para todo el mundo sobre todo con los jovenes DIOS ha puesto esto en mi corazon y a puesto este talendo en mi y yo se ke lo voy aser porke estoy con EL como decia kaka OTRO de mis suenos es juntarme con kaka como jugadores profecionales y ablarle a todo el mundo de ke ay un DIOS grando ke con el todas las cosas son posibles. lucha por tus suenos porke recuerda ke tienes a algien a tu lado ke es el rey de reyes con DIOS todas las cosas son posibles ….
June 12th, 2009 07:36
Kaka, you’re truly a beauty. You’re a millionaire but you act and live like a normal, modest and humble person. You have tons and tons of money, but you didn’t become arrogant and still be a humble servant to The Lord. And importantly and foremost, you’re really brave and bold with your message! May God bless and protect you always.
p/s – I hope you can give some good advice for your new teamate Cristiano Ronaldo (at Real Madrid) to at least follow a bit of your good and humble lifestyle! I’m a Manchester United supporter though! Peace on earth! Hehe…
June 15th, 2009 08:56
HEJ MÅR DU BRA KAKA JAG GILLAR DEG I lave you bay bay byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
June 28th, 2009 15:46
Kaka is a good player, humble, and a nice guy. But, he’s also really dumb.
Soccer players who wear “I love Jesus” shirts and pray to God before or after the game just have no brains.
He can do what he loves, and gets paid millions for it. He’s a normal selfish person. Maybe less selfish than others, but still selfish.
It’s ok. But let’s get real!
July 17th, 2009 07:27
What does seem to be perceived is that Kaka is HAPPY. He is happy with his young wife and kid, with this profession, with life. And who makes him happy? Jesus – he may be in the wrong religion, but the way he behaves shows us he went beyond the humanity of his pastors who sound like the Pharisees at the time Jesus was on earth. Think: if all guys were like him the world would surely be better,cleaner and much more hopeful! May Jesus whom he loves so much protect him from all evil!
July 27th, 2009 13:41
HELLO WELL TO ME KAKA IS THE BEST SOCCER PLAYER AROUND THE WORLD HE IS AMAZING I HOPE WILL BE A SIMILAR SOCCOER PLAYER, I WANT TO BE LIKE HIM
August 13th, 2009 00:14
This is the strangest thing i’ve ever read about soccer. While playing with his kinda pressure, you need to have FAITH but this is too much. It seems he is brainwashed
))
It is just soccer and Kaka is just a player dont act like a missionary!
September 1st, 2009 08:52
Dear kaka,
Even if the whole world is against you for you being a true christian your faith in our lord Jesus should be the same.because he loves you so much and bought you back from a point of time when u were about to Quit football. so all praise is his… Our lord and god Jesus bless you and your family with all the glory.
Praise be to our lord forever and ever ..AMEN
November 2nd, 2009 18:13
[...] and I, as we said our respective prayers. While I am Catholic and Kaka, as you may have guessed, is Evangelical, our Christianity unites us. Normally I prefer a papal-nonintervention policy when it comes to [...]
November 9th, 2009 07:42
[...] Kaká’s politics, and while he seems like an earnest and socially conscious guy, the fact is that the Brazilian church he associates with (and where he planned to display his 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year Award) is led by a [...]
February 8th, 2010 10:08
thanks for the information. i am writing a book on GOD and soccer and i need more of the story of religious soccer players and other athletes
March 31st, 2010 13:48
god bless u!..
k dios t bendiga,
from: san diego ca
April 5th, 2010 05:40
hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! I’am your real fan
April 14th, 2010 22:32
I wonder whether Kaka would be reading this… But he’s just gained a LOT of favor and reputation from me… That’s what you call a true testimony to the world…. God Bless Kaka, may he do better in serving Christ and also play some great football…
July 5th, 2010 04:46
Well done Kaka. Think he is a great, and humble player. He is not a perfect person. He is committed to serving God, in the very difficult high profile life of a modern footballer in the top leagues. There will always be those who don’t understand this as they have never experienced a relationship with Christ.