Goalkeeper Keylor Navas is being called the "hero of Costa Rica" after a game-winning save against Greece on Sunday, but Navas does not take any of the credit for the win.
In interviews, and on social media, the 27-year-old gives glory to God for all his achievements.
Sunday's save was critical for the Costa Rican professional team. The win ushered them into the World Cup quarterfinals – the first finals appearance in the country's history.
Navas said that before the game, as before every game, he prayed.
"I talk to God and ask Him to help me," he said in a translated interview with Protestante Digital.
"I tell Him that everything I say and do in the game is for His glory and I ask Him to put me an angel on each side, in each post, and behind me so that everything can turn out fine."
Navas admitted that displaying his faith has brought ridicule from some people, but said he is unfazed.
"People can oftentimes mock me because of my belief in God and many times they insult me when I kneel to pray in many stadiums," he stated.
"Galatians 1:10 is my favorite passage... 'Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ,'" he recited.
"If I cared what people thought of me, I would forget to embrace that passage... What God says about me is the most important thing and that passage has changed my life."
The husband and father posted a photo of Sunday's historical save on his Twitter account.
"This stop is for God, my family, my team, for all of Costa Rica," he wrote.
Costa Rica will face the Netherlands on Saturday, July 5 at 4 p.m. ET.
