Real Madrid’s Muslim star Karim Benzema was fasting all day for Ramadan before producing a stunning display for a 3-1 win against Chelsea, putting the Spanish giants in full control of their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The French forward, who didn’t eat or drink all day, broke his fast only 13 minutes before feasting on Chelsea’s defense and scoring a sensational hat-trick, The Sun reported.
🚨| Karim Benzema broke his Ramadan fast just around 13 mins before kick-off and then went on to score a #UCL hat-trick vs Chelsea in 45 minutes.
Ramadan Karim just different. #UCL
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) April 6, 2022
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Speaking to Esquire in a recent interview about the effect of Ramadan fasting on his game, Benzema said, “No impact, Ramadan is part of my life and my religion makes Ramadan an obligation.”
“For me, it’s very important and I feel good when I’m fasting.”
Karim Benzema:- “Ramadan has no impact. It’s part of my life and my religion makes Ramadan compulsory. For me it is very important and I feel good when I fast”. pic.twitter.com/8qjKggh8Xl
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) April 6, 2022
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Speaking after Tuesday’s victory, Benzema said: “These are the magical Champions League nights we live for.
“We came here to show who we are. We came to London to prove who Real Madrid is.”
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Hijri Islamic calendar.
From dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations).
This year, Ramadan started on April 2, in the middle of a busy sports schedule in Europe, where many practicing Muslims play.