Madrid, Spain,(EWTN News):
Argentinean soccer star, Javier “Pupi” Zanetti, shared the
impact his faith had in his life at the World Meeting of
Families in Milan, which Pope Benedict XVI is expected to attend
this weekend.
“My dream
was to be a soccer player, and I have done everything to become
a good player, but I like to be with my family a lot, I like to
be at home with my wife and children,” Zanetti, captain of the
Italian soccer team Inter Milan, told attendees on May 31.
“I learned sacrifice from my father. We are
privileged, and although we have the chance to give anything to
our children, it’s necessary to say no. We must make them
understand that without sacrifice you gain nothing,” he said.
In 2008, when Inter Milan celebrated its 100th
anniversary, Zanetti gave Pope Benedict XVI a team jersey with
the name “Benedetto XVI” on the back. On that occasion, after
the general audience on May 8, Zanetti said, “Without Christ man
can’t fully live.” He noted that the Pope’s blessing was a
motivation for believers to “understand our role as Christian
witnesses, in the family and in sports, and our duty to help the
less fortunate, especially children.”
Zanetti and his wife direct the Pupi Foundation
dedicated to “returning faith, dignity and hope to children at
risk socially and their families.”
During the World Cup tournament in South Africa
in 2010, the Argentinean newspaper La Nacion revealed that Dutch
soccer player, Wesley Sneijder, who scored his team’s winning
goal against Brazil, converted to Catholicism and was baptized
before traveling to the tournament. He was influenced by the
decision of his girlfriend, Yolanthe Cabau, and his friendship
with Zanetti.
Zanetti,
who was born in Argentina in 1973, joined Inter Milan in 1995.
He has played more games than any other international player in
the Italian league. He has also played on the Argentinean
national team since 1994.
On June 2, Pope Benedict XVI will attend an event
at Inter Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, where he will meet
with hundreds of young people preparing to receive the sacrament
of Confirmation.
