Footballer Diego Alves loves the Virgin Mary

Brazilian footballer Diego Alves, who played for Spain for ten years of his career, announced his retirement from professional football on January 21, 2025.

In 2011, he began playing for the Valencia club in Spain. Alves is known for his deep Christian faith. On the day of his presentation to Valencia, assailed by questions from journalists, he confided without embarrassment: “The Virgin is always with me. I'm a very religious person, and she'll always be with me.”

Diego is very attached to the Virgin of Aparecida, and before each match, he always kisses a small medal from the shrine where Pope Francis dedicated his pontificate.

“It was a gift from my aunt, who was very religious, at a time when I was going through some very difficult things in my life,” he explained during a meeting with young Catholics from Spain. “She offered it to me and gave me a lot of comfort. I've experienced many beautiful things and I've begun to know the Virgin better”.

The Virgin is also depicted on his goalkeeper's gloves: “I always have her with me, at every match; it gives me confidence and serenity.”

Federico Cenci 

Zenit.org