Faith, Football, and Fasting

When Assane Diao scores a goal, he doesn’t just celebrate the moment—he marks it with gratitude. His signature sujud, the act of prostration, is a tribute to his faith, a visual reminder of the significance of religion in his life.

“Yes, typically, when I score a goal, I do it at the end to thank God as well as a form of gratitude,” Assane explains. “For helping me not only score the goal, but to be fulfilling my dream, to be playing in the games I love to play in.”

For Assane, and his fellow Como 1907 teammates Alieu Fadera and Mërgim Vojvoda, faith is a constant guide—not only on the pitch but in every aspect of their lives. And when the month of Ramadan arrives, its impact is profound.

Fasting from dawn until sunset is a fundamental part of Ramadan. It requires discipline, resilience, and a deep spiritual connection. For professional athletes, who rely on peak physical performance, the challenge is even greater. But for Alieu, it’s something he’s embraced from a young age.

“I came from a Muslim home and a Muslim family, and I have been fasting ever since I was about ten years old,” Alieu shares. “Growing up, it was a feeling that you had from early childhood days, and the experience is just amazing because it gives you a sense of spirituality—you’re doing this for a higher cause and it feels amazing.”

Mërgim echoes that sentiment, emphasising that fasting is about more than simply abstaining from food and drink.

“For me, Ramadan means the faith I carry in me,” he says. “It’s not just about not eating or drinking—it’s to have the reward and mercy of Allah.”

Assane acknowledges that the adjustment takes time but ultimately feels natural.

“The first few days, you find it a little bit hard to get the rhythm of not eating and drinking during the day, but as the days go by, your body adapts. And the truth is, I for one am doing well.”

Balancing the demands of training, matches, and fasting requires careful planning. The support of teammates and the club plays a key role in making the process smoother.

“I think back to our conversation earlier—they have been really helpful,” Alieu says. “I have my own corner where I pray every day in the dressing room. Sometimes when I am praying, one of them might just try to set up a mat for me to pray properly. All those small things give you a feeling of support, like they respect what you do and they respect your faith.”

Assane has also found that curiosity about Ramadan has opened up conversations and built stronger bonds within the squad.

“There are teammates here who ask about it when Ramadan arrives,” he explains. “They don’t know very well how it works, so they ask, and they are a bit curious. I explain it to them, and it’s funny to get good questions from them. But the truth is that they put themselves in our skin and help us, and that is very important.”

For Mërgim, having teammates who observe Ramadan makes the experience easier.

“When you have other teammates that observe Ramadan, it makes it much easier because we help each other,” he says. “On game day or the day before, we look at each other and we know we are not alone, so yes, it helps.”

Despite the physical demands, all three players see Ramadan as a source of strength rather than a limitation.

“For me, no, the truth is, no,” Mërgim says when asked whether fasting affects his performance. “On the contrary, I was very lucky. When I have observed Ramadan, I have been able to score goals in these games during this period, so I don’t see it as a weakness.”

Alieu, too, has found balance through discipline and routine.

“It’s not difficult,” he says. “You just have to find a routine and then be disciplined and stay consistent on it. Each prayer has its own time, so when you find the right time to balance that with training, it works. The club has made it a little easier for me as well.”

For Assane, Alieu, and Mërgim, Ramadan is more than a tradition—it’s an integral part of who they are.