Euller Elias de Carvalho: the ‘Son of the Wind’ practising his football skills‘Dreams can come true’, says soccer star

Taken from A Biblia No Brasil, the quarterly
magazine of the Bible Society of Brazil.

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Euller Elias de Carvalho, a forward with soccer side Vasco da Gama, is known throughout Brazil as the ‘Son of the Wind’. His glittering career spans 10 years and has seen him win many prestigious titles. Last year he was selected for the Brazilian national team.

But Euller says that his greatest joy is not his football career but his conversion to Christianity, which marked a turning point in his personal and professional life.

Unhappy childhood

His unhappy childhood with an alcoholic father had left him full of resentment. When he left his family at the age of 14 to begin his footballing career, he took his anger with him.

“I had a great desire to revenge the wrongs my father did to my family,” said Euller. “I was motivated by hatred and all I wanted was money, fame and prestige.”

All this changed when he found himself at an Athletes for Christ meeting and heard the words from John 3:16 that changed him.

“When this verse was read out, I understood the love of God for all humankind and I accepted Jesus Christ into my life,” he explained. “More than that, I began to understand the value of forgiveness, particularly with regard to my father.”

Euller now enjoys a close relationship with both parents, who are now separated. His whole family witnessed the positive changes in Euller’s life and they, too, became committed Christians.

Strength

The Word of God has also become a source of strength for him in the demanding world of professional football.

“In football there are many injustices and lots of pressure and, as professionals, we have to put up with it and keep quiet about it,” he said. “At moments like these, I open the Bible to find answers and comfort.”

As well as playing professional football, Euller owns a football school, where he teaches students not only about the techniques of the sport but also shares his experience of life with them, including his Christian faith.

“The main advice I give to the children is to be disciplined and to combine sport and study,” he said. “I also tell them that faith in God is essential because it is through this that their dreams can come true.” (WR 361/33 - 7/8.01) [PHOTOS]