The Netherlands managed to hold back Uruguay yesterday to earn a spot in the World Cup finals this weekend, and CNA notes that one of its star players — Wesley Sneijder, who scored against the Brazilian favorites in last week’s quarterfinals — recently converted to Catholicism:
At the end of May he converted to Catholicism and was baptized in a chapel in Milan, where the brilliant soccer star plays for the Inter Soccer Team, receiving endless accolades. He was influenced in his decision by his girlfriend, Dutch actress and model Yolanthe Cabau, who was born in the Spanish city of Ibiza and who he has decided to marry in the Church after the World Cup ends.
“He was also inspired by his friendship with Javier Zanetti, his teammate and captain for Inter, who is himself a practicing Catholic,” the paper explained.
Orthodox. Faithful. Free.
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Sneijder said that he had recently attended a Mass with his teammates and was moved to embrace the faith. He signed up for catechism classes with Inter’s chaplain.
I’m impressed by the positive influence of Sneijder’s captain here; I’m trying to imagine something similar happening in, say, the American NFL, and I can’t quite picture it. Hup, Holland, Hup!