For Polish FIFA referee Damian Sylwestrzak, faith is not something hidden away from public life—it is the foundation that guides every step he takes, both on and off the football field.
Before every match, Sylwestrzak pauses for prayer in the locker room. Then, after the opening whistle, he makes the sign of the cross—an act of gratitude and trust in God that he says has become part of his life and vocation. Carrying an image of the Divine Mercy of Jesus with the words “Jesus, I trust in You,” the referee openly speaks about relying on faith amid the pressure and scrutiny of professional football.
Though now recognized internationally as a FIFA and Ekstraklasa referee, Sylwestrzak once studied theology and even considered becoming a religion teacher. As a child, he eagerly served as an altar boy in his parish, sometimes assisting at several Masses on the same Sunday because of his deep love for the liturgy and the Church.
He admits that some people have suggested he stop making the sign of the cross before matches, yet he continues without fear or hesitation. For him, even small gestures can become a testimony of faith in a world that often encourages silence about God. Together with his wife and their three children, he strives to keep prayer at the center of family life.
At 34, Sylwestrzak describes faith as his “compass in life” and his source of peace in difficult moments. His witness reminds many believers that holiness is not limited to churches or monasteries—it can also shine brightly in stadiums filled with thousands of spectators.