Football and Faith: Players' Rituals and Traditions

The pre-game rituals and traditions of football players are very diverse. Cristiano Ronaldo always steps onto the pitch with his right foot first. Laurent Blanc used to kiss the referee on the forehead. Gary Lineker never kicked a ball before a game. These superstitions provide psychological confidence to the player — even if they have no scientific basis.

Religion and religiosity also play an important role in football. Muslim footballers — Mohamed Salah, Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba — perform sujud (prostration) after scoring a goal. Brazilian players often make the sign of the cross. Roberto Baggio is Buddhist. Religion gives many footballers spiritual strength, patience, and purpose.

Most Uzbek footballers are Muslims and respect Islamic values. Adjusting game schedules during the month of Ramadan and taking prayer times into account are important issues. Respect and tolerance are the most important values both on the football pitch and in life. Football unites different faiths — that is its beauty.