Exclusive insight into Dick Advocaat's Curaçao squad: 'He changed my life'

Gorré has been a long-standing member of the Curaçao national team, witnessing firsthand how faith has increasingly become a cornerstone of the squad. This spiritual journey also brought about a profound change in his own life. "God truly forms the foundation of this team. I've been an international player for seven years, and the prayer aspect has genuinely impacted me. Six years ago, I became a Christian; Jesus changed my life," Gorré shares.

The 31-year-old forward for Umm Salal in Qatar openly discusses the significant transformation in his life. "I used to live according to my own will and did whatever I pleased," Gorré admits. "Six years ago, God met me and said: do it my way. I surrendered my life to Him, and since then, my life has changed. I received a joy that cannot be altered by circumstances."

"I've realized that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. That's what I've built my life upon now. I've reaped the rewards of that in my relationships, career, finances, and every area of my life," Gorré continues.

Within the Curaçao squad, faith is now intertwined with the daily routine. According to Gorré, almost every day begins with gratitude and prayer. "We thank God for a new day, because life is about more than just football. It's by God's grace that we get to take our first breath in the morning. So, we simply make sure we align ourselves with that in the morning."

Gorré explains that specific requests are made to God. "Before the match, we pray for protection and the understanding that God's will is above all else. We simply ask God to let us enjoy the moment and to protect us on the field as well."

Curaçao's first-ever World Cup appearance is, of course, a huge deal within the squad. Gorré even tries to visualize these special moments. "When you close your eyes, your thoughts start to wander a bit. You begin to imagine yourself on the field and envision what will happen. I've seen a lot of positive things," Gorré acknowledges.

"I don't want to say too much about it, but I see everyone being happy. It doesn't mean we're going to win, but it does mean we're going to enjoy it. And that's what God is really reminding me of this season: to enjoy it, because this is a special time in our lives. We're going to enjoy it to the fullest," concludes Gorré, whose Curaçao team kicks off their World Cup campaign against Germany, followed by matches against Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

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