World Cup Athletes Say Winning is Not Enough

"Because of [my faith], everything I do has a direction and a purpose...This is what I believe gives me the motivation to strive toward my dreams," said Kaka, star striker for Brazil and FC Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga

XENIA, Ohio, June 16, 2010—Capturing the attention of more than 3 billion soccer fans, the World Cup is the most popular event in sports.  Yet most of these fans have never had a chance to discover the personal stories behind what motivates some their favorite athletes-until now.

In conjunction with the 2010 World Cup, international sports ministry Athletes in Action released The Prize: Chasing the Dream. The DVD features these six elite soccer players from around the world who share their stories of faith and how God has impacted their lives:

• Lucio - Captain of the Brazilian National Team and 2002 World Cup winner
• Kaka - 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year and member of the 2002 winning team
• Marcos Senna - Member of Spanish National Team, currently ranked number one in the world
• Nicola Legrotagglie - Member of the Italian National Team, currently ranked fourth in the world
• Cyrille Domoraud - Retired captain of the Ivorian National Team (Ivory Coast), whom he led to their first World Cup appearance in 2006
• Oscar Ewolo -Captain of the Congolese team and 12-year professional athlete

These athletes share a personal passion from which they draw perspective, not only on the game of soccer-but also on life.

"I'm not talking about a ‘fairy-tale God.' I'm talking about a God that I experience and who has changed my life and who changes and transforms me every day in a very real way," said Kaka, star striker for Brazil and FC Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga.  "Because of this, everything I do has a direction and a purpose...This is what I believe gives me the motivation to strive toward my dreams."

"We're confident that people will enjoy watching this high quality 26 minute film.  It is unique way to share the personal stories and testimonies of elite level athletes with soccer fans from around the world" said Athletes in Action's Shawn Keith, who helped develop and produce the film.    

For more information or to order a copy of The Prize: Chasing the Dream, please visit www.theprize.com or call (888) 244-9159.  Special pricing is available for 501c3 Para-church organizations.  For more information, contact Shawn Keith at Shawn.Keith@athletesinaction.org.    

Athletes in Action works with athletes and coaches to use the unique platform of sport to help people around the world with questions of faith.  For more information about Athletes in Action, visit www.athletesinaction.org.  For stories and videos of elite-level athletes, visit www.beyondtheultimate.org.

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