Ghana international Antoine Semenyo says his relationship with God comes before football and has described his Christian faith as the foundation of both his career and personal life.
The Manchester City forward said his faith had become increasingly important in recent years, leading to his baptism last December. He regards the ceremony as one of the most significant experiences of his life.
“My relationship with God comes first,” Semenyo said, making clear that football does not take priority over his beliefs.
The 26-year-old explained that his football commitments had caused the baptism to be postponed, but he took the opportunity to complete the ceremony when circumstances allowed.
Semenyo also revealed that prayer has become a regular part of his preparations on matchdays. Before games, he joins other players at the team hotel for prayer, including Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Manchester City team-mate Jeremy Doku.
Those sessions, he said, help strengthen their faith and provide a mental focus before they compete.
For Semenyo, his footballing talent is itself a gift from God. He believes that creates a responsibility to use his ability to the fullest, both for his club and his country.
His comments come after a period of rapid progress in his career. Semenyo scored 21 goals for club and country during the 2025/26 season, form that helped earn him a £65 million move from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January.
Since joining the club, he has already helped Manchester City win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. He has also made an encouraging start to pre-season under new manager Enzo Maresca, providing an assist in the match against Inter Milan.
The forward’s rise has therefore continued on the pitch, but he says his achievements must be viewed alongside the influence of his faith. Rather than treating football and religion as competing priorities, Semenyo considers his beliefs the source of the motivation and discipline required to perform.
His matchday prayer routine reflects that approach. The meetings at the team hotel give him and fellow players an opportunity to prepare spiritually before turning their attention to the demands of the game.
Semenyo’s move to the Etihad Stadium followed the most productive season of his career, with his 21 goals for club and country helping establish him as one of Ghana’s leading attacking players.
The Ghana international now begins the next stage of his career at Manchester City, having added major domestic honours to his recent progress. Yet, despite the 26-year-old’s success and growing profile, he has made clear that his Christian faith remains the central influence in his life.
