Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ramadan fasting attempt earns praise from Al Nassr teammate

An anecdote shared by former Al Nassr FC defender Shaye Sharahili has gone viral, shedding light on Cristiano Ronaldo’s gesture of cultural respect during Ramadan.

Speaking in an interview with Thmanyah Sports, Sharahili revealed that Ronaldo once attempted to fast alongside his Muslim teammates, not as a religious conversion, but as a way to better understand their physical and spiritual experience during the holy month.

A gesture of leadership

According to Sharahili, Ronaldo was motivated by a desire to experience firsthand what his teammates go through while balancing elite-level football with fasting from dawn to sunset. The Portuguese superstar reportedly completed two full days of fasting.

Within the Al Nassr dressing room, the gesture was widely viewed as a sign of leadership and cultural appreciation. Teammates interpreted it as a meaningful effort to connect with the squad on a deeper level beyond football.

A difficult physical test

However, the experiment proved demanding. Sharahili noted that Ronaldo ultimately found fasting “really challenging,” particularly given the intense physical requirements of professional football, including high-intensity training sessions, recovery routines, and competitive matches.

For athletes competing at the highest level, hydration, nutrition timing, and energy management are crucial. Adjusting to fasting conditions, especially without prior experience, can significantly test physical endurance.

Cultural respect in focus

Ronaldo’s reported attempt resonated strongly with fans across Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Many praised the move as a powerful example of mutual respect in an increasingly globalized sport, where players from diverse backgrounds share the same dressing room.

Since joining Al Nassr, Ronaldo has frequently been in the spotlight not only for his performances on the pitch but also for his adaptation to life in Saudi Arabia. This story adds another layer to that narrative, highlighting how gestures, even brief ones, can strengthen team unity and cultural understanding.

While the fasting experiment lasted just two days, its symbolic impact has continued to circulate online, reinforcing how small acts of empathy can leave a lasting impression in professional sport.