Mohamed Elneny has recently been fasting for Ramadan, and Premier League Originals have taken a deeper dive into how Mo can combine fasting with being a professional footballer at the highest level.
Starting in Hertfordshire on his drive to the Sobha Realty Training Centre, Mo discusses what Ramadan is all about and the importance of good habits, fasting and coping with hunger, before he talks growing up in Egypt, becoming a professional footballer and eventually signing for Arsenal under Arsene Wenger.
“Ramadan is the best thing because, of course people think only about fasting for food and drink, but the idea is not actually this,” he said. “It’s about organising your day and getting good habits to behave in the right way with your family, friends, your job and yourself.
“We give food, money, we have to give because poor people struggle with this their whole lives. Now you appreciate everything you’re fasting for.”
We also hear from our new Head of Sports Medicine & Performance, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, who speaks about making sure Mo is in the right shape in line with his religious needs.
Mo also visits a mosque to pray, where Imam Abdul Muhit tells us about the London Colney Islamic Centre and engaging in what he refers to as a spiritual boot camp.
Former Gunner Kolo Toure also offers his insight on the importance of players being respected for who they are as people, before Samir Singh, Inclusion & Community Development Manager at Arsenal and Mohammed Cozbar, Chairman of the Finsbury Park Mosque, talk about cultural events at Emirates Stadium and bringing the community together.
To learn more, press play on the video above.
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