In November 2010, the World Cup trophy that the Spanish national team had won in South Africa made a very special stop. The then-national team coach, Vicente del Bosque, and the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Ángel María Villar, took the trophy to the headquarters of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), where they were received by Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, then archbishop of Madrid and president of the CEE.
The Strengths of the National Team
Villar asked Cardinal Rouco to intercede with Pope Benedict XVI so that the national team could bring him the World Cup, and he stated that «soccer and faith go hand in hand.» The Federation president also defended Spain’s Christian roots and emphasized that the team’s victory had been achieved through «many qualities» that, in his view, the bishops «teach and practice»—such as «sacrifice, teamwork, solidarity, overcoming challenges, and above all, humility.» He thus emphasized that soccer is «at the service of society» and that it is «a wonderful tool for the well-rounded development of the human person.».
For his part, Rouco Varela highlighted the «human and Christian virtues» that, in his view, had shone through in that team. The cardinal particularly highlighted their team spirit, cooperation, and the humility with which the players had received their victory. He also reminded the champions that, if they had asked the bishops to pray for them, they themselves should pray as well. «Not just when they make the sign of the cross as they enter the field,» he added, while acknowledging that the bishops liked it when they did so.
For his part, Vicente del Bosque emphasized that, in his view, soccer is not just about winning, but also about conveying «ethics and personal conduct.».
The meeting also concluded with a reference to Our Lady of Almudena. Rouco Varela reminded the national team’s officials that they had not taken the Cup to Madrid’s cathedral and warned them: «If you don’t visit Our Lady, you’re in for trouble.».
The Cup, Once Again Before the Spanish Bishops
Now, sixteen years later, Spain is once again the world champion. The new national team, led by Luis de la Fuente, has once again lifted the most prestigious trophy in international soccer. This leaves one question unanswered: Will we see the World Cup trophy at the Spanish Episcopal Conference again? Will they present Luis Argüello with the national team jersey, just as they did back then with Cardinal Rouco Varela?
