MENA Sports Wrap: Euro leagues assist players observing Ramadan

As the Muslim world welcomes Ramadan, top footballers and leagues wished Muslim fans well during the holy month, while most European leagues now accommodate for Muslim players’ observing the fast.

Meanwhile, Morocco international Brahim Diaz has had a stellar February for Real Madrid, and continues on a winning streak, scoring the winning goal during the Champions League clash against city rivals Atletico.

Saudi Arabia’s top teams had mixed fortunes in the continental AFC Champions League with Al-Nassr managing just a draw in Iran amid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence.

MENA footballers, European leagues welcome Ramadan

Football clubs and players across the globe have welcomed the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, sending Muslim fans their best wishes.

Muslim footballers took to social media to wish followers well during the holy month, which entails fasting from sunrise to sunset, as well as increased worship and prayer.

Liverpool’s Mo Salah posted a greeting in Arabic, before posting images of himself decorating his home with Ramadan-themed decorations with his daughter 

Turkish teen sensations Arda Guler, who plays for Real Madrid, and Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz also posted similar wishes, as well as Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.

Many European clubs, including giants Barcelona FC, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain also wished Muslim fans Ramadan Mubarak, while the English Premier League’s Arabic-language page on X posted a compilation video of players sending their greetings.

In a bid to accommodate Muslim players’ needs, the English Football Association permitted footballers to break their fast during this weekend’s FA Cup matches.

The FA has confirmed that a pause will be determined in advance based on sunset timings.

Manchester United defender and Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui was seen breaking his fast during his team’s match against Fulham on Sunday.

The Belgium football league has also introduced Ramadan breaks during matches his year.

Over the years, the English Premier League has increasingly grown to accommodate the needs of Muslim players observing the holy month, with match officials allocating a form of stoppage time to allow players to break their fast.

The French Football Federation, however, continues to prohibit Muslim players from breaking their fast during the holy month, as per the country’s “laicite” principles.

Morocco’s Diaz shines for Madrid in February, Champions League

Morocco international Brahim Diaz has been named Real Madrid’s Player of the Month for February, following a valiant display for the Spanish side throughout the month.

Diaz won the award for the first time in his career with the team, and ahead of star players such as veteran Luka Modric, Brazilians Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, as well as England international Jude Bellingham.

Diaz, who plays as an attacking midfielder and a winger, played eight times for the Spanish giants in February, moving in-and-out of Carlo Ancelotti’s starting 11.

The player, who opted to play for Morocco last year, scored key goals against Manchester City in the Champions League, and proved vital on the pitch in several La Liga matches.

His influence on the pitch has also been seen in decisive contributions against Granada and Villarreal, where he added two more goals and a key assist in the match against Real Betis.

Diaz’s accolade proves worthy as many of Real Madrid’s young talent struggle to make it into the team’s starting 11 under Ancelotti, due to the fierce competition and abundance of star players on the squad. Diaz often features as a substitute for Madrid.

Diaz went on to shine even further in Los Blancos’ clash with city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 match on Tuesday. The Moroccan scored the winning goal in the 55th minute, giving Real Madrid an advantage in the second leg.

The player was dubbed the team’s unsung hero on Tuesday, and further cemented his rising importance for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo missing for Al-Nassr amid ’99 lashes’ rumours, as Saudi Pro League sides face mixed fortunes in Asian Champions League

Al-Nassr, minus Cristiano Ronaldo, were held to a 0-0 draw by Iran’s Esteghlal in the first round of knockout matches in the Asian Champions League (ACL) on Monday.

The absence of Ronaldo upstaged the action, or lack of it, on the pitch, led to reports that the Portuguese superstar was not in the squad due to potentially facing “99 lashes” under Iranian law.

According to rumours that circulated in Spanish media, Ronaldo was liable to be arrested and charged for contravening Iranian law for “touching an unmarried woman”, relating to a 2023 trip with Al-Nassr to play Persepolis in Tehran during which he posed with fan and artist Fatemeh Hamami. 

The rumours were strenuously denied by the Iranian embassy and it since emerged that Ronaldo missed the game against Esteghlal due to muscle fatigue. 

Al-Nassr’s draw with the Iranian side has left them in a good position to qualify, with Ronaldo likely to be back in the side for the return leg in Riyadh on Monday. 

Among the other Saudi Pro League sides competing in the ACL, Al-Ahli ran away 3-1 winners over Qatar’s Al-Rayyan, with Algerian maestro Riyad Mahrez on the scoresheet. 

Al-Nassr’s city rivals Al-Hilal didn’t fare so well as they suffered their first ACL defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to Pakhtakor in Uzbekistan. 

The record four-times ACL champions, and current Saudi Pro League holders will fancy their chances on the home return leg but Jorge Jesus’s side will no longer underestimate their Uzbek opponents.