Cody Gakpo told the world "I belong to Jesus". His unashamed faith is an example to us all

On the day his club lifted the Premier League trophy, Cody Gakpo revealed a shirt reading “I belong to Jesus.” For professional footballer John Bostock, it was a powerful reminder: your faith is to be shared — whatever your platform, whatever the cost

Faith Shouldn’t Be Hidden

There’s a growing pressure on Christian athletes to keep their faith away from the pitch, to tuck it away in private prayer or generic Bible verse references on their socials but not to make a “scene.” And yet, we’re not called to be silent followers. Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).

When someone like Gakpo — at the highest level of football — boldly says, “I belong to Jesus,” it speaks louder than any sermon. It tells the world, “This is who I am. This is where my identity lies.”

What if the shirt said something else? Let’s be honest: if that shirt had read “I belong to myself” or promoted a brand or cause the world deems acceptable, would he be facing the same scrutiny? Probably not. That’s the tension we live in — one where faith in Christ still provokes discomfort, even offence, in public spaces.

And yet, this isn’t new. The apostles faced it. I’m sure Kaká even faced it. Countless Christian athletes have faced it. But every time someone chooses to stand for Jesus, they’re drawing a line in the sand: I won’t bow to culture — I bow to Christ.