1.Nicolas Anelka:
Nicolas Sebastien Anelka (Abdul Salam Bilal), French national who plays for english Premier League team Chelsea. His pictures of visiting a Mosque in Manchester are available on internet and can be seen easily. Anelka's words about the effect of Islam in his Life "Being a Muslim makes me have a calmer and philosophical outlook to life. I think carefully about everything i do, and daily prayers keep me focused."
2. Zinedine Yazid Zidane:
Former French and Real Madrid great is widely know as Zezu and famous for his headers which gave the Frenchmen the only worldcup star on their shirts.
Three time FIFA World Player of the Year is also famous for his headbut on Italy Mid-fielder "Matrazi" in the 2006 FIFA world cup final which caused Zezu a Red card and caused Fracne their second World title.
3. Adel Taarabt:
Adel Taarabt, whose national team is Morocco, first played for Lens. He is currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspurs to QPR. Sharing his views about the benefits of being a Muslim he says “Being a Muslim has had a big impact on my professional life. As Muslims, we don’t drink alcohol, we don’t smoke, so essentially we’ve become healthier, more professional footballers because of our lifestyle. Before every game, I perform salah. Without it, I just don’t feel confident. I make sure I pray after a match, too – to give thanks and be grateful for the stamina and strength God graced me with. ”
Sharing his views about Zidane being the inspiration of his life he says “Zidane has always been a big influence for me. We were both born in the same town, we’re both of North African origin and of course, he’s Muslim, too!
4. Abou Diaby:
French National who first played for Auxerre now is part of Arsenel team. Telling about his life style as a Muslim Abou says “As a Muslim, my faith has always pushed me to focus and excel; not only in my personal life but in football. It teaches me how to be disciplined and strive to be better.”
Diaby says people considerate to be difficult for Muslims to play football specially in the month of Ramadan but sharing his personal experience Diaby says he feels a special power in himself in ramzan when he keep Fast and play for his sides.
5. Frank Ribery:
Adopted Islam in 2002 and adopting the Muslim name of Bilal Yusuf Mohammed. Bilal (Frank Ribery) is a French national team player who currently plays for Bayern Munich is well known for his fast football skills and his pace, energy, skill and precise passing. The previous talisman of French national team, Zinedine Zidane, has called Ribery the "jewel of French football".
When he was two years old he suffered a fierce car accident, which caused great facial injuries to Ribery leaving 10 stiches in his face and a big scar on right side of his face.
6. Kolo Habib Toure:
Kolo plays for the national team of Ivory Coast and currently signed with Manchester City in the Premier League. Elder Brother of Yaya Toure and Ibrahim Toure is a practicing Muslim who lives with wife Awo daughter Sania and Son Yiasin.
7. Gnegneri Yaya Toure:
Second of the Toure brothers, Yaya Toure is ex-Barcelona star who is currently signed with Manchester City and also have represented his national side (Ivory Coast) in more than 50 matches.
Ibrahim Oyala Toure:
He is the youngest of the Toure Brothers, currently signed with Egyptian Club Masaka. Trying to make a name for him on the International level as well as in Club level.
9. Solomon Kalou:
Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou is an Ivorian Footballer who is currently signed with Chelsea and often used as a left winger in Chelsea.
Some Non-practicing Muslim Footballers:
Samir Nasri is a French footballer who plays for English Club Manchester City. He belongs to a Muslim family but he, himself is not a practicing Muslim rather he have liberal views. His father Hamid was a bus driver before becoming his son’s personal manager. He has a younger sister named Sonia and twin brothers named Walid and Malik
Robin Van Persie who is a Dutch National and currently plays for Arsenel is married to a Morrocan Muslim but never talks about his religious views in public.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a Swedish National and plays for Milan in Seria A belongs to a family who were Bosnian-Muslim immigrants and his mother is a Catholic Croat and some reports say he is following his mother’s religious belief.
Closing Thoughts:
There might be many missing names but I have tried to compile some of the biggest names of Football world.
GeoSuper