placebo effect?

Anyone who believes in God will never lose to someone who believes in Buddha

The above was quoted from Cláudio Taffarel, Brazilian goal keeper of the team that beat Italy in World Cup 1994 final penalty shoot out. The person Taffarel referring to Roberto Baggio  a practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism. Tafarrel was a member of  evangelical churches of Brazil which promote the Athletes of Christ movement

Of course logically Baggio would not miss his penalty just because he is Buddhist. Anybody could missed a penalty for myriad of  reasons but one's religion should not be one of them. But for Tafarrel it was the sole reason. I am not sure if his belief could affect Baggio as if Tafarrel had some kind of telepathic power. 

Looks like Tafarrel religious experience could be classified as placebo effect. The word "placebo" comes from Latin and means "I shall please." And "please" it does. In study after study, many people who take a placebo show improvement in their symptoms or condition. Such effect had been studied in the context of religious beliefs and practices

I do not think we could judge Tafarrel conviction as that would be his personal belief. People would be entitled to have his/her personal faith. If you were Brazilian supporter I guess you would be happy seeing Brazil won the trophy regardless of Tafarrel rather arrogant faith. But again the game was played fairly and after the normal time no one could score any goal.

Back to the story of Brazilian footballer. When Bayer Leverkusen striker Paulinho scored for Brazil in a 4-2 win over Germany at last year's Olympic Games. Paulinho celebrated his goal by making the gesture of an archer in homage to Oxossi, his orixa (a spirit deity) in the Candomble religion. Clearly he is no evangelical. Different religion but looks like similar placebo effect.