Examining the performance of elite Muslim footballers as they observe the Ramadan fasting.
Muslim football stars affected by Ramadan
The month of Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims when healthy adults fast from sunrise to sunset which includes football players.
Nearly a week into this year’s edition of the ‘Holy Month’, it has been interesting to see how some of the top footballers in the world have been affected by the fasting.
Of course, Ramadan can have adverse effects on athletic abilities, including significant declines in speed, agility, dribbling speed and endurance, along with higher rates of non-contact and training overuse injuries as studies have shown.
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante AFP
Performing at the highest level of anything in life becomes significantly harder without food and water which is why we must check in on our Muslim brothers plying their trade for the biggest clubs in the World.
Ramadan has had mixed effects on the publicly Muslim top players in Europe’s top five leagues so far; some have been playing well while others have not.
Karim Benzema’s vintage display against Chelsea in the Champions League is a good example of players thriving in the holy month and gives new meaning to the words “Ramadan Kareem”.
Karim Benzema’s hattrick seals a decisive 3-1 victory for Real Madrid against UEFA Champions League defending champions Chelsea Pulse Live Kenya
The French striker scored a hattrick to help Real Madrid beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal.
That performance was preceded by two goals in a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo making it five goals in two games during Ramadan for Karim Benzema…Ramadan Kareem indeed.
The Premier League provides a larger sample size for the publicly Muslim elite players led by Liverpool’s African duo of Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane.