Premier star takes the hand of God to become a pastor

PREMIER League goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is swapping careers to become a vicar after fame and fortune left him feeling “empty inside”.

The Brazilian international,

39, has hung up his boots at Watford FC to devote himself to the church.

He says: “I used to have everything, my family, money, but I was missing something.”

He discovered his faith at the height of his career, after Spurs signed him for £8million.

Gomes later began studying to be a pastor but was asked by Watford to postpone plans and stay on for the end of their campaign.

Speaking on Songs Of Praise, he recalls how religion played no part in his journey from impoverished childhood on a farm with no running hot water to top flight football.

Explaining what changed him, the father of two says: “I used to hear about God but I did not know Him at that time. One period attottenham was not going so good for me.the only way I had in that moment was to try and get something different, to try and know who Jesus was.”

And he urges other players not to hide their faith.

He says: “We need to speak out, football is a game for everyone. It’s a game for Christians, as well.

“We are examples for many young people.”

Explaining when he fell in love with football, Gomes says: “I was about 14 and I was sat just outside the house and my mum was there sad. I said, ‘Mum why are you sad?’ She said, ‘Because I want to give you a better life’. I come from a poor family, I was born on a farm. I used to have no water, no hot water, inside the house. And at that time I put on my hat and said, ‘I’m going to be a footballer and I am going to give you a house’.”

The programme, which looks at faith and sport, also features Paralympian Stef Reid, 35, who reveals the accident that nearly cost her life cemented her faith.

She was 15 when she was struck by a speedboat and her life was saved when a surgeon stemmed the bleeding by amputating her right foot.

Reid says: “It was actually in the ambulance that was probably the first time I had really prayed in my life.”

●Songs Of Praise, BBC One, 1.15pm today.

‘We’re examples for young people’