Religion one of the most basic and sensitive features of a person. While some footballers are extremely open about their personal beliefs, there are still some stars of the game whose religious choice are not well known.
In this very post, we would take a look at our stars who are Muslim players you might not know. This list includes Both Past And currently playing footballers who are in one way or the other still involved in affairs of the game.1. Paul Pogba
One of the most marketable footballers in the world, Paul Pogba is a devout and practising Muslim from birth. The Manchester United star made a world record transfer from Juventus and though he initially struggled to make an impact, he soon started showing his quality and became an integral part of Manchester United's Europa League triumph.
Still only 25, Pogba is considered by many to be a future Ballon d’Or winner and his potential and talent is what led to United splashing out the huge sum for the Frenchman. Born in Siene-et-Marne to Guinean parents, Paul Pogba along with his brothers Florentin and Mathias are Muslim both of which are all footballers.
One of the most valuable players in the world Pogba is capable of playing as a central midfielder and in a slightly more advanced role. In House issues at the club with manager Jose Mourinho over being deployed in the wrong role and an injury at a time when the French man caught fire hindered Pogba’s season. Pogba is currently in Russia as he bids to win the ultimate international price with France already in the last eight having trashed Argentina 4 – 3 to set up an encounter with columbia.
2 Franck Ribery
One of the greatest wingers of all time, Franck Ribery converted to Islam in 2002 after being inspired by his wife Wahiba who is of Algerian descent. He also added the name Bilal after his conversion.
Speaking about his conversion from Christianity to Islam, Ribery said:
"Religion is my personal thing. I am a believer and since I converted to Islam, I think, I became stronger, I became mentally and physically stronger. Religion did not change my personality or my perception of the world. I pray five times a day, I do it because it enables me to be released and I feel better afterwards"
The Frenchman is a staunch follower of Islam and was even reportedly extremely angry with Boateng for dousing him in beer after winning the Bundesliga in 2013. A true Bayern Munich legend, Ribery will be looking to end his career on a high with the Bundesliga giants.
3. Mesut Ozil
One of the most well-known current active footballers on this list, Mesut Ozil is often seen bestowing his thanks to the Almighty on the football pitch. The German footballer recites from the Quran before his match.
Özil said, "I always do that before I go out [on the pitch]. I pray and my teammates know that they cannot talk to me during this brief period."4. Marouane Fellaini
Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is a Muslim by birth. Born to Morrocan parents from Tangier and brought up in Brussels, Fellaini had successful spells at Standard Liege and Everton before securing a big money move to Premier League giants Manchester United as manager David Moyes first and only signing in his maiden but unfortunately last season at a club he would end up spending a short 10 months as the boss before dismissal.
The combative midfielder has had a mixed spell at Old Trafford, but he has managed to win an FA Cup and a Europa League title with the Red Devils, Still only 29, Fellaini still has a good 4-5 years left at the top level.
Used by Jose Mourinho to bully players in the air, Fellaini’s physical presence on the pitch has often broken stubborn defences. The Belgian might not be the most stylish stylish player on the pitch, but there is no doubting his effectiveness for Manchester United. The big Belgian recently signed a new 2 year deal with united following a period of much speculations about him swapping United for a new employer.
5. Edin Dzeko
One of the most underrated strikers in world football, Edin Dzeko has practised Islam since he was born. The Bosnian striker has been successful wherever he has played especially for Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, Premier League side Manchester City and his current side AS Roma. A prolific goalscorer, Dzeko had a stunning 2016/17 season where he scored 39 goals in 51 appearances and followed that up with guiding Roma to a shocking elimination of tournament favorites Barcelona only to succumb to a Liverpool defeat.
An absolute superstar in his home country of Bosnia, Dzeko is also multilingual and capable of speaking 4 languages – Bosnian, Czech, German and English fluently. He is also involved in plenty of charitable ventures and even became his country’s first UNICEF ambassador.
Still only 32, Dzeko will be determined to add some more chapters to his already storied career. The Bosnian Diamond will be determined to guide Roma to the Serie A title in the 2018/19 campaign.
6. Nicolas Anelka
One of the most talented strikers to emerge from France in the last 25 years, Nicolas Anelka converted to Islam from Christianity when he was just 16. Another not so well known fact is that Anelka even adopted the Muslim name Abdul-Salam Bilal in 1994. Speaking about his conversion, Anelka said:
“I was sixteen when I converted to Islam, beyond the fraternal aspect, my conversion did not change my life. I was already living by the same principles being righteous, having values. I used to fast during Ramadan because I admired the people fasting around me. What made me convert was that I had that certainty that Islam was for me.
“I felt this relationship with God, and that enlightened my life. I had that conviction in my heart that that was my religion. I am pleased to be a Muslim, a religion of peace and I learned a lot from Islam.” he was quoted saying.
Anelka was last seen as the manager of Indian Super League side Mumbai City FC.
7. Granit Xhaka
Arsenal and Swiss midfield star Granit Xhaka is one of the three Muslim first team stars (along with Ozil and Mustafi) at the North London side. Bought from German side Borussia Monchengladbach for a fee of around £35 million, the Swiss star has had a decent first & second season.
Capable of breaking up play and setting up attacks with equal ease, Xhaka after a tough settling period showed his true game towards the end of first season where he played a crucial role in Arsenal’s stunning FA Cup triumph over Chelsea and since then, has settled in well in his second season in what became long term boss Wengers last season in charge..
Not afraid of crunching into tackles, Xhaka’s physical presence in the centre of the field coupled with his ball playing skills gave Arsene Wenger’s side a new dimension and it will be interesting to see how the Swiss midfielder fares under new manager Unai Emery.
8. Karim Benzema
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is another Real Madrid star who practices Islam. One of the biggest stars in Zidane’s team, Benzema is a devout Muslim who follows fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
9. Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard one of the best young footballers to have dominated in premier league. In 2012, he signed with Chelsea football club and become the richest young footballer in the world. Hazard played 183 matches for Chelsea and scored 60 goals in all appearances. The player is considered the star man of the Chelsea team since he joined the club in 2012 after preferably choosing the blues over local rivals United, City and long term admirers Arsenal.
A father of three at the age of 27, he continues to nurture his inner child. Leading by example, Hazard encapsulates perhaps better than anyone the ability of this Belgium national side to have fun on and off the pitch, while continuing to achieve high levels of performance. Became the captain of the Belgian side and since he pulled on the armband, they have lost just four games and won 26, scoring a total of 102 goals along the way.
10. Yaya Toure
Formally of Barcelona, Yaya Toure recently played for reigning EPL champions Manchester City and untill recently has been City’s most influential player till the man who sent him packing at the Catalans was appointed city Boss. The pairs relationship have always been not good enough but once again has gone beyond repair leading to a series of heated exchange of words between the two.
Yaya is a devoted follower of Islam along with Brother Kolo also a former City player.
A comprehensive list of others high profile muslim players and their Clubs is given below:-
Players Current Club
1 Paul Pogba Manchester United
2 Yaya Toure Manchester City (Likely leaving)
3 Mesut Ozil Arsenal
5 Eden Hazard Chelsea
4 K. Benzima Real Madrid
6 M. Salah Liverpool
7 F. Ribery Bayern Munich
8 M. Fellaini Manchester United
9 Nuri Sahin Borussia Dortmund
10 R. Mahrez Leicester City
11 G. Xhaka Arsenal
12 I. Gündoğan Manchester City
13 X. Shaqiri Stoke City
14 S. Khedira Juventus
15 E. Dzeko AS Roma
16 I. Afellay Stoke City
17 I. Slimani Leicester City
18 A. Ayew West Ham United
19 K. Zouma Stoke City
20 M. Sakho Crystal Palace
21 S. Mané Liverpool
22 A. Januzaj Real Sociedad
23 N. Kanté Chelsea
24 B. Sako Crystal Palace
25 M. Bešić Everton
26 Emre Can Juventus
27 M. Dembélé Totenham
28 Ben Arfa PSG
So hazard na muslim?
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