Ramadan running from February 18 through the final week of March, Lamine Yamal will once again combine his religious observance with the demands of elite football.
After experiencing the Muslim holy month for the first time last year, the FC Barcelona forward now prepares to do so again, with his next match set for Sunday at 10:15 p.m. ET against Levante UD.
Ramadan requires Muslims to fast from dawn to sunset throughout the month and to observe five daily prayers. It is a period centred on reflection, spiritual growth and community. Given these requirements, fasting can influence physical conditioning and performance levels.
At Barcelona, though, navigating Ramadan is not new. The club has previously implemented customised nutrition strategies to help minimise the effects of fasting for players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Franck Kessié and Ansu Fati.
This involves carefully planning evening meals to ensure adequate nutrition without resorting to heavy late-night eating that might disturb sleep or impact performance. Maintaining hydration is also essential, particularly in the hours before kickoff, when the Rocafonda-born winger must properly restore fluid levels.
Speaking last March, Yamal described how he structures his routine during Ramadan.
“Today I woke up at four in the morning and had a big breakfast. Then I can get up later than the others because I skip the team’s breakfast schedule,” he said. “After that I go to training and then back to my room to continue with my prayers. And so on until the time comes when I can break the fast.
“Electrolytes are to stay hydrated for the rest of the day.”
Sunday’s fixture will be his first since the start of this year’s Ramadan, and it remains to be seen how much the fasting period will affect him. Last season, Barcelona’s No. 10 successfully balanced the holy month with his professional responsibilities, and there are no indications that this campaign will unfold differently.
