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

Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are competing for the same England position, yet Saka describes their relationship not in terms of envy or rivalry, but respect and brotherhood. Andrew Dutton explores the Christian values shaping their bond

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…