Arsenal star speaks on fasting in Ramadan as a footballer

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has signed a new deal with the Premier League club

Arsenal star speaks on fasting in Ramadan as a footballer

Faruq Ibrahim 16:00 - 19.04.2023

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny talks about fasting in Ramadan and its impact.

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny talks about the benefits of fasting in the month of Ramadan for Muslims, saying it brings blessings from God and does not have a huge impact on player performance as God takes control.

The 30-year-old Egyptian midfielder is currently injured and ruled out for the rest of the season, as Arsenal are currently on a title charge. Still, the former Basel man is partaking in Ramadan as prescribed by his religion.

What El Neny said 

The Egypt International talks about football while fasting, highlighting its importance but admitting that it takes a toll on footballers.

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed El Neny
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed El Neny

However, the Arsenal midfielder believes the help of God makes it easier on players, saying footballers have been seen to score even while fasting during Ramadan 

He went ahead to recall his first goal in a gunner's shirt, saying it came while he was fasting.

“Every footballer when he trains needs to drink for your body. When you’ve finished training we need food. Ramadan doesn't give you this but it gives you peace that God will be happy with you, and the respect you're going to get from people because you have not made an exception," he said, per the Arsenal Website

“When some players are fasting, you can see them scoring goals and they're doing great. This tells us fasting is not bad, it’s actually something really good because God is happy with you and you will do well because God will help you.

“You’ve got to be strong in your head, in your mind,” he adds. “It is really good for your body because you give everything, and if you have fat or anything else bad inside your body, it will be gone.

“My first Premier League goal came when I was fasting when we played Newcastle away. My body looked different, and the strength and power I had was small. This means I wasn’t as strong, but God helped me.

Elneny and the rest of the Muslim faithful all over the world will end their mandated fasting at the end of Ramadan and celebrate Eid Fitr, which is expected to be on Friday or Saturday.

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