Olivier Giroud, a professional French soccer player and faithful Christian, shared a video message on Tuesday 1st August addressing the 40,000 young French people at the “Time of the French” event during the first day of World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal.

“You 40,000 French people, united by faith in Jesus, how beautiful you are! You who announce the good news, you are a sign of hope,” the 36-year-old striker said.

He added:

“One thing that I know and that is certain: God is waiting for you and he wants to speak to each of you. Do not be afraid to listen to him and to speak to him, so pray.”

Football player Olivier Giroud, center forward for France, in victory over Argentina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. | Credit: Антон Зайцев for soccer.ru, CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons

Giroud went on to say that while soccer is a big passion of his, his love for Christ is just as important as his professional soccer career, and he thanked God “for what he has done and  continues to do in my life.”

“I seek to be his disciple, to serve him, at the very heart of my passion as a footballer and also in my daily life. Following Jesus gives me joy, strength, serenity; therefore, peace,” he added.

Olivier Giroud, who currently plays for AC Milan and the French national team, has always been very open about his faith throughout his career. He often takes opportunities to speak out about his faith and encourages the youth gathered to become “athletes of God.”