Footballers have taken to social media to mark the start of Ramadan, one of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan began on the afternoon of Sunday, March 10 and will last until April 9, and is a period in which those who observe it will abstain from eating or drinking from dawn to dusk for an entire month.
Currently, sunrise is around 6am and sunset around 6pm, meaning those watching will spend an average of 12 hours a day fasting.
In addition to the millions of Muslims observing Ramadan (1.8 billion people identify as Muslim worldwide), several high-profile footballers will also fast this month.
In addition to the general rigors that professional sports places on the body, these athletes will continue to train and play multiple times a week, all without the same snacks, nutritional reinforcements and energy sources as their teammates in a monumental task.
Mesut Ozil was one of the footballers who published a message on social networks at the beginning of Ramadan.
Paul Pogba wished his followers ‘Ramadan Kareem’ on Instagram at the start of Ramadan
Antonio Rudiger and Nayef Aguerd also published messages to their followers at the beginning of the holy month
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Several famous faces in the game have taken to Instagram to share their well wishes with those celebrating the religious month.
Antonio Rudiger wrote on Instagram: ‘Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims in the world. May the Almighty accept our fasts and prayers.’
Former Germany, Real Madrid and Arsenal star Mesut Ozil said: ‘Ramadan Mubarak to all my Muslim brothers and sisters around the world. May this Ramadan bring us peace, joy and many blessings.”
Meanwhile, Paul Pogba wished his fans: “Ramadan Kareem.”
Several other footballers also took to social media to post stories wishing their fans the best as they celebrate the start of the month.
Ilkay Gundogan, Nayef Aguerd, Sadio Mane and Hakim Ziyech also took to social media to mark the start of the holy period.
Last year, Arsenal star Mohammed Elneny claimed that footballers are not actually much affected during Ramadan, despite the perception that they may struggle due to lack of energy or dehydration.
The Egyptian international suggested that fasting brings satisfaction to Muslim players as it shows that God is happy with them.
Mohamed Elneny admitted last year that he believes fasting during Ramadan can benefit Muslim players.
Elneny says that doing so gives them satisfaction as it shows that God is happy with them.
Elneny said: ‘For us it’s not a big difference. We are happy because Ramadan lasts 30 days every year and you don’t really think too much about how long you will fast. We do something for God and God is happy that we do this.
‘Every footballer needs to drink when he trains. After training we eat. Ramadan does not give you this but he gives you something else, he gives you the peace that God will be happy with you and the respect that you will get from people.
And he added: “How many goals has Salah scored? Some players, when they fast and score goals, you can see them and they are doing very well.
“It shows that it’s actually a really good thing because God is happy with you.”
With many games during the holy month starting just before sunset, several Premier League matches last season had momentary pauses around the time the sun set so that Muslim players observing Ramadan could eat and drink.
EFL and Premier League matches had breaks at a convenient time in the first half after being warned by the participating teams.
The first Premier League match to feature a scheduled stoppage was the match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur in April last year, with Toffees trio Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye breaking their fasts.
Chelsea’s draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last season also saw a pre-arranged pause in play, which then-defender Kalidou Koulibaly claimed he had never seen in other leagues.
‘When you come here and see them stopping the games for the Muslims to refuel, have a few drinks and recharge a bit, it’s incredible.
Former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has praised the fact that Premier League matches were stopped for players to break their fast.
In April 2023, a break was held during the first half of a match so that Muslim players could break the Ramadan fast.
‘It never happened to me, so this feeling is incredible.
“I saw it on TV when Wesley was in Leicester breaking his fast during the game, it was incredible.
‘When they do it for you, it’s amazing. “I was very happy and I hope to do it again.”
He BBC reported In 2023 there were 253 Muslim players in the first teams and academies in the top four tiers of English football and they are required to juggle training and matches with the obligations of the Islamic holy month.