Footballers have taken to social media to mark the start of Ramadan, one of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan began on the evening of Sunday March 10 and will run until April 9, and is a period in which those observing will refrain from eating or drinking from dawn until dusk for an entire month.
Currently, sunrise is at around 6am and sunset around 6pm, meaning those observing will be spending 12 hours a day fasting on average.
As well as the millions of other Muslims observing Ramadan - 1.8 billion people identify as Muslim globally - a number of high-profile footballers will also be fasting this month.
In addition to the general rigours professional sport incurs on the body, these athletes will be continuing to train and play multiple times a week all without the same refreshments, nutritional boosts and energy sources as their team-mates in a monumental undertaking.
A number of famous faces from the game have taken to Instagram to share their well-wishes to those observing the religious month.
Antonio Rudiger wrote on Instagram: 'Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims around the world. May the almighty accept our fasting and prayers.'
Former Germany, Real Madrid and Arsenal star Mesut Ozil said: 'Ramadan Mubarak to all my Muslim brothers and sisters around the world. May this Ramadan bring us peace, joy and lots of blessings.'
Meanwhile Paul Pogba wished his followers: 'Ramadan Kareem.'
A number of other footballers also took to social media to post stories wishing their followers well to mark the start of the month.
Ilkay Gundogan, Nayef Aguerd, Sadio Mane and Hakim Ziyech also took to social media to mark the start of the holy period.
Last year, Arsenal star Mohammed Elneny claimed that footballers are not
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