Mohamed Salah's Question Mark in the Month of Ramadan

A barrage of questions was directed at Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah ahead of the 2018 Champions League final. Would the global Muslim icon forgo fasting when the decisive match took place? Fans reacted after the club's physiotherapist announced that Salah would temporarily not observe fasting.

Due to Salah's significant influence, the news temporarily overshadowed the much more important topic of the team's preparations. Liverpool's manager at the time, Juergen Klopp, even had to step in to clarify. "As far as I understand, religion is a personal matter. There is nothing I can say, other than that he will be on the field," said Klopp.

A similar issue never arose again during Ramadan in the following years. A year later, when Liverpool returned to the Champions League final, Salah provided a definitive answer. He broke his fast by drinking during the match against Tottenham Hotspur. Salah, with the contribution of one goal, lifted the trophy on the same night.

In England, Ramadan has arrived this year and will take place from February 28 to March 30, 2025. Salah welcomed it with enthusiasm. Together with his wife, he decorated their home with ornaments symbolizing the holy month. “#RamadanKareem,” he wrote in a post on Instagram.

As a devout Muslim and a role model for many, it is only natural that Salah will fast again this year. The next question arises: Will this condition negatively affect his performance, which is currently in top form, or will it be the opposite?

As is known, the biggest factor behind Liverpool's dominance in the Champions League and the English Premier League so far is the figure of Salah. Nicknamed "The King of Egypt," he has already contributed 30 goals and 22 assists across all competitions this season. Not a single player in Europe's major leagues comes close to that achievement.

Liverpool will go through a crucial period over the next month. They will play four matches during the month of Ramadan, including the Round of 16 in the Champions League (against Paris Saint Germain) and the English League Cup final (against Newcastle United). Therefore, "The Reds" have high hopes for Salah's contribution.

The easiest way to answer that puzzle is through history. Salah has repeatedly observed fasting while wearing the Liverpool jersey. So far, there have been no significant issues. In 2024, for instance, he managed to contribute one goal and three assists in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 16 match against Sparta Prague.

In the Premier League, Salah's performance quality is also maintained. He scored two goals in four matches during the month of Ramadan. Interestingly, the left-footed player failed to score a single goal in four consecutive matches after Eid. Fasting actually seems to have a positive effect on him.

A similar positive trend occurred in Ramadan 2023. Salah contributed four goals in four appearances in the Premier League. During the international break, he also created two goals and two assists in 165 minutes of appearances with the Egyptian national team in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

During Ramadan 2022, Salah's average goal and assist contribution reached one every 72 minutes. This ratio is much better than the overall record throughout the Premier League season, only one goal or assist every 106 minutes. The positive trend in three consecutive seasons confirms that Liverpool need not worry.

For many Muslim players, fasting often strengthens the body. They are more motivated because they are praying. The “vertical” relationship makes magical things possible. Legendary striker Karim Benzema is one of them. “Ramadan is just part of life. My religion requires it. I feel good when I fast,” Benzema told Esquire.

The theory cannot be explained scientifically. According to the Chief Medical Officer of the International Federation of Professional Football Associations (FIFPRO) Vincent Gouttebarge, fasting is actually not optimal for athletes to perform at the elite level. There is no added value from fasting to support performance.

"However, there are mental benefits for players who fast. In the sense that they know they are low on energy, so the spiritual element of Ramadan can mentally act as an additional source of motivation or inspiration. They can perform better," Gouttebarge explained.

Despite all that, Salah will not miss all the matches during Ramadan while fasting. The two home and away Champions League matches are at 8pm local time. That means he can break his fast about an hour before the match.

Specifically in the League Cup final, Liverpool will compete at 16:30 local time. Salah still had time to break his fast in the middle of the second half. The match has the potential to be longer with extra time and a penalty shootout. Meanwhile, Salah will fast completely when facing Southampton in the Premier League.

Whatever the conditions later, fasting or not, it seems it will not have much effect on Salah. The 32-year-old striker is in the best performance momentum of his life. He does not look and will not slow down. Enjoy the power of "The King of Egypt" while it lasts. (AP/REUTERS)