Shaye Sharahili, a former Al-Nasr player, revealed a remarkable humanitarian and sporting gesture made by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, the team's current captain, noting that Ronaldo experienced fasting during the past month of Ramadan for two days, in solidarity with his Muslim teammates.
This came during statements made by Sharahili to the “Thamania” channel, where he said: “Cristiano Ronaldo fasted. He tried fasting for two days last season with the players to understand what they were going through.” Sharahili explained that this initiative from Ronaldo was aimed at understanding the experience his teammates were going through and its impact on their physical and mental performance, reflecting the team's high spirits and the global star's desire to fully integrate into his new environment.
The general context of Ronaldo's move to the Saudi League
This revelation comes amidst the historic transformation the Saudi Professional League has undergone since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022. This transfer was more than just a football player move; it was a global event that thrust the Saudi league into the international spotlight and paved the way for attracting a host of world-class football stars. Ronaldo's arrival is part of a broader sports strategy adopted by Saudi Arabia within its Vision 2030, which aims to solidify its position as a leading global sports destination.
The importance of the initiative and its expected impact
Ronaldo's initiative to fast carries dimensions that extend beyond mere personal curiosity. On a local level, this gesture demonstrates a deep respect for the prevailing Islamic culture and customs in the Kingdom, enhancing his positive image among Saudi fans and strengthening the bonds between him and his teammates. It also sets an example of a professional player striving to understand and fully integrate into his environment.
On both regional and international levels, this story contributes to building bridges of cultural understanding. As millions around the world follow Ronaldo's journey in Saudi Arabia, such news highlights the human side of the experience and presents a positive image of intercultural interaction in the world of sports. It also underscores the challenges faced by foreign players in Arab leagues during Ramadan, when training and match schedules are altered to accommodate Iftar (the breaking of the fast).
In this regard, Sharahili pointed out that fasting does not usually affect the Saudi player who is used to it, but it may pose a challenge to the foreign player who has to change his entire daily routine, as matches are held late in the evening, such as at ten o'clock instead of eight, which affects hours of sleep, rest and physical preparation.
