French soccer player Olivier Giroud sends WYD message to 40,000 French pilgrims

“I seek to be his disciple, to serve him, at the very heart of my passion as a footballer [soccer player] and also in my daily life. Following Jesus gives me joy, strength, serenity; therefore, peace,” he added.

Giroud currently plays for AC Milan and the French national team and has been very open about his faith throughout his career. In an interview in 2019 with a French Christian magazine called Jesus, he said: “I try to speak about my faith whenever I can. I feel I have to use my media profile to talk about my commitment to Jesus Christ and the matters that concern me.”

Tattooed on the inside of his right arm are the words “Dominus regit me et nihil mihi deerit,” which is Latin for “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,” a reference to Psalm 23.

The Frenchman encouraged the WYD pilgrims to become “athletes of God.”

“Listen to his word, dare to cast your nets … become missionary disciples, serenely take your faith in Jesus, invite God into your life. Work for the unity of all. We have received the same baptism, we walk together in the risen Jesus.”

He thanked the youth for their “presence” and “enthusiasm.”