Fox Sports: “Messi is Worshipped by His Fan Base and Rightfully So”

During the live 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and Algeria on June 16, 2026, Fox Sports promoted to a worldwide audience the worship of Lionel Messi. The broadcaster did more than simply praise Messi’s athletic abilities on the field; he crossed a line by speaking in a way that justifies the worship of a man—a devotion that belongs to God alone. Whenever media organizations portray human beings as objects of reverence and devotion, they venture into the realm of idolatry.

Fox Sports: “Messi is Worshipped by His Fan Base and Rightfully So” #sda #adventist #adventista pic.twitter.com/jWFQBTp0hj

— Advent Messenger (@Advent1844) June 17, 2026

The first commandment plainly declares: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3. Jesus also said: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew 4:10. The Bible consistently teaches that worship belongs exclusively to God. Elevating celebrities or public figures to a status that belongs only to Him is a violation of His commandments. Throughout history, the world has demonstrated a tendency to exalt and even deify human beings.

After God performed a miracle through the apostles Paul and Barnabas, the crowds responded by crying out: “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” Acts 14:11. The apostles immediately rejected such treatment.

Likewise, when Herod Agrippa accepted divine honors, the people proclaimed: “It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.” Acts 12:22. God judged him because he accepted glory that did not belong to him. The Bible is clear: whenever people exalt human beings, they move into dangerous spiritual territory.

The modern sports culture often takes on the same spirit of religious devotion. Crowds chant the names of their favorite athletes, wear sports apparel featuring their heroes, and travel great distances at considerable expense to see them compete.

Idolatry is not limited to bowing before idols of wood and stone, although many fans do literally bow before their sports gods. It includes placing anything in a position of affection, devotion, admiration, or reverence that rightfully belongs to God alone. Throughout history, our world has been known to elevate created beings above the Creator.

Before the Flood, society indulged in self-gratification. Jesus said that people were “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” until the day Noah entered the ark (Matthew 24:38). Ellen G. White further describes the antediluvian world as being consumed with “sports,” while neglecting the warnings of God and the reality of the coming judgement.

“For seven days after Noah and his family entered the ark, there appeared no sign of the coming storm … The apparent delay confirmed them in the belief that Noah’s message was a delusion, and that the Flood would never come … They still continued their sport and revelry, even making a jest of these signal manifestations of God’s power” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 98).

Their sports and athletic heroes became a snare that helped draw their minds away from God. They were so engrossed in amusement, recreation, and worldly pleasures that they had little interest in preparing for eternity. The pursuit of entertainment occupied their thoughts to such a degree that they did not want to be troubled by warnings of coming judgment. As a result, they continued in their pursuits until the Flood came and swept them all away.

“For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:38-39.

Entertainment, wealth, the constant stimulation of godless media, and the pleasures of sin can drown out the voice of conviction. These modern idols captivate the mind and numb spiritual perception. When the heart becomes preoccupied with worldly pursuits, it becomes increasingly difficult to hear God’s call to repentance, faith, and obedience.

As we near the close of Earth’s history, the call of Scripture is to turn away from every false object of devotion and worship the Creator alone. God is seeking a people whose hearts are fully surrendered to Him, who love Him above all else, and who refuse to grant to any person, institution, or earthly pursuit the honor and devotion that belong to Him alone.