Eze does it, and gives God the glory

In a football-obsessed country, England star Eberechi Eze has something much bigger in his life than even ‘the beautiful game’.

The Crystal Palace winger and attacking midfielder has the football world at his feet through a talent prodigious enough for him to force his way into even England’s supremely gifted front line.

But as the 26-year-old was playing his part in the Three Lions’ route to the final of Euro 2024 in the summer – playing three times in Germany as he competed against the likes of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish for the left winger’s role – Eze was grounded as the nation back home went football crazy.

As he told GQ magazine last year, there’s something way more important. “It’s massive [his faith]. God is at the centre of my life: in everything I do, and everything I think about, I try to put God first.

“For me, that’s a huge anchor to have because it balances everything else in my life. It allows me to balance my relationships with the people around me, with my job, with everything.” 

He makes the sign of the cross after every goal to show his gratitude. In the last two seasons, that meant God got the glory more than 20 times.

“I know I keep saying it, but I can’t explain how grateful I am to have God in my life because I don’t know how I would navigate my way through situations and life in general.

“I try to be as grateful as I can and to walk in that peace that God has given me.”

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