Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka should be rivals. Instead, their brotherhood tells a Christian story

Christianity and football could be considered an unholy alliance. It is a struggle to rationalise the meek and mild person of Jesus, operating within a world that demands a win-at-all-costs mindset.

Within football, there is no greater pinnacle than lifting the World Cup and the stakes for those competing at the event could not be higher. The desire to win the trophy could become an all-consuming obsession (or idol), even for a Christian footballer. 

The win-at-all-costs mentality was made famous by NFL Coach Vince Lombardi, who said: “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing!”

George Orwell summarised a negative perception of competitive sport when he said, “Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words it is war minus the shooting.” 

If these two attitudes set the tone for the world’s perspective of competitive sport, Christian people could be left wondering, “Is there a place for me?”

Brothers beyond the ball

During a pre-tournament interview, Christian footballer, Bukayo Saka, surprised fans when he was asked about his current battle with Arsenal team-mate, Noni Madueke, both of whom are vying to start at right wing for England: “It’s quite unique because obviously two players that play in the same position to be as close as we are…yeah, I don’t really know how it works, but it works! Noni is like my brother, on and off the pitch, and we push each other, we speak every day and we have that mutual respect for each other and we want each other to do well. The good thing is we play on the same team so if one of us is doing well, it’s good for the other.”

Humility allows Saka to feel no jealousy towards any other person’s successes, especially someone as close to him as Madueke.

With the words of Orwell ringing in our ears, how can we rationalise two Englishmen ready to “go to war” for their country, who want to win at all costs, but also selflessly want the best for each other? This attitude demonstrates the condition of a heart renewed by Christ, and therefore allows the Christian footballer a different perspective on competitive sport.

A heart free of envy

The biblical view of the heart is that it is the central core of all human being, thinking and doing (Job 8:10; Matthew 12:34).

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”. In the same way, Jesus says in Luke 6:45, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart”.

From Saka’s attitude towards Madueke, we can see a pure heart that is not focused on selfish ambition, but a desire for others to do well; a true reflection of love for his neighbour above himself (Matthew 22:39).

Additionally, Saka is currently one of the star players for the Premier League champions so he could be forgiven for having a high opinion of himself! Instead, the 24-year-old exemplifies the total opposite of a prideful attitude and his quote is rich in humility. Humility allows Saka to feel no jealousy towards any other person’s successes, especially that of someone as close to him as Madueke.

Practically, humility can be seen in acting sacrificially for others (Romans 12:1), and Saka is demonstrating his belief that there is a higher purpose than the result of a match or his personal starting position. When applied, this may look like parting with his own ambitions to become obedient to God’s will, so that God may be glorified in everything he does (Luke 9:23).

Iron sharpens iron

The phrase “Iron Sharpens Iron” (Proverbs 27:17), speaks of the idea that regular communion with other Christians may sharpen them spiritually and bring them into a deeper relationship with God. Contextually, it is clear that Saka sees competition for places not as something to be avoided, but something that will make him even better when his opportunity to compete comes.

At KICK, we coach the young people we interact with Christian values through competitive sport. This month’s value of hope also shines through Saka’s quote, as he dreams of lifting the World Cup, but also as he hopes for personal success and the success of his ‘brother’.

Through the shining example of Bukayo Saka, we are able to see ways in which we too can bring the transformational love of God into a world where it is rarely seen.