Vedat Muriqi Embraces Ramadan Amidst a Crucial Season

omidbasir- The Ramadan period commenced on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, and will conclude on Thursday, March 19. Kosovar forward Vedat Muriqi announced the start of Ramadan through his social media, sharing a message of ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ on his Instagram stories.

During this timeframe, Mallorca will engage in four critical matches under the guidance of coach Jagoba Arrasate, facing Celta de Vigo, Real Sociedad, Osasuna, and Espanyol.

The daily fasting observed by Muslims from dawn until sunset is one of the five fundamental pillars of the Islamic faith, significantly impacting daily life, especially for elite athletes. In 2023, Muriqi admitted that he could not fast before or on match days, stating, “May God assist all those who are fasting,” reflecting on the challenges he faces as a professional athlete. Muriqi hails from Pizren, where approximately 96% of the population identifies as Muslim.

Thus far in the season, Muriqi has scored 16 goals in the first 24 league matches, marking his best performance in Spain. He is just one goal shy of matching his personal best tally achieved during the 2018/19 season with Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig, where he netted 17 goals.

Muriqi has contributed over 50% of Mallorca’s league goals this season, scoring 16 out of 29. A significant goal for him this year is to help his national team qualify for the World Cup. Kosovo will face Slovakia on Thursday, March 26, in the semifinals for a chance to participate in the World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.