Armed With The Gospel

Football and Faith

Newcastle United’s Paraguayan attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron says his life has been underpinned by two consistent factors – football and faith.

After making the switch from sub-tropical Asunción to Tyneside, the Magpies playmaker has spoken out of how his Christian faith drives his life.

The Paraguayan’s right arm has been inscribed with a Biblical quotation in Spanish, “I am the way, the truth, the life”, from John 14:6, while the left bears an image of a football encircled by “El tiempo de Dios es perfecto,” meaning God’s timing is perfect.

He said: “I’m a Christian, a believer, for sure.

“I don’t always go to church in England – although that’s down to the language barrier – and I don’t spend all my time studying the Bible but I do sit down and read it from time to time, just to refresh my mind.”

Magpies boss Steve Bruce has been thoroughly impressed by Almiron’s start to life at St James’ Park. Bruce said: “Miggy’s absolutely sensational, a top player.

“In 20 years of management I’ve never seen anyone cover the distances and play with the intensity he does. He’s multi-talented; once he scores one goal, he’ll score a lot.”

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Almiron’s faith shines through in his connection to fans, none more so than when he asked the club to track down ten-year-old Lucas Rochford, a ballboy from South Shields who touchingly consoled the playmaker following a miss against Wolves.

Almiron said: “It was a lovely, special moment. I was desperate for the first goal, I couldn’t wait for that moment, but the most important thing is that I’m helping the team create chances, results have generally been good, we’re on the right track and the squad’s really together.

“It means I’m not too anxious, I’m not beating myself up about not actually scoring. I feel very much at ease at this club and in this city.”

Almiron came close to giving up football and accepting a job collecting supermarket trolleys but his parents refused to let the dream die.

He added: “I was frustrated and angry. I wasn’t thinking things out properly but then I sat down and had a chat with my mum and dad. I told them that I loved football so much and I still thought I could do it for a living; happily they supported me.”

Despite being used to much higher climates, Almiron has acclimatised well.

Almiron said: “But I like the cold, I like the cold. Snow won’t worry me. I’ve got five amigos from Paraguay arriving in 2020 and they want to see some snow!”

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This article was taken from the March 2020 issue of New Life Newspaper.