Karim Benzema and his goal-scoring Ramadan

As Karim Benzema recently declared about fasting in Ramadan: "I feel good when I'm fasting". And so much so, he has proved it in the best way. First a hat-trick against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and then two more goals against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The French striker of Algerian origin does not forget his origins and is a disciplined practitioner of the Muslim religion.

Educated in the principles of this faith and despite living first on the outskirts of Lyon, in the Le Terraillon (Bron) district, and then in Madrid after his 2009 move to Real Madrid, western communities, he maintained these principles and has always practised the Muslim religion.

There are even media reports that Karim listens to suras from the Koran before matches. When the players wear headphones before matches, both on the bus and when they enter the stadium on the day of the match, these media think that it is not music that the white striker listens to. This would show that he knows the sacred texts confirming his religious practice.

Not only does he feel very close to his origins, traditions and religious practices, he is also very attached to the neighbourhood where he grew up. There he started playing for Association Sportive Des Buers Villeurbanne and later for Sporting Club Bron.

It was at the latter that he stood out and made Olympique Lyonnais Lyon take notice of him and he joined the Olympique Lyonnais Academy.

The 34-year-old striker, like his team-mate Luka Modric, is in superb physical shape based on a perfectly balanced diet and exhaustive training. Benzema said he is grateful to life for his good health. And regarding Ramadan, he said it has no impact on his fitness.

His beliefs make Ramadan an obligation, but for him it does not affect his profession or his fitness. 

There are the results to prove it. In the match against Chelsea there were also other believing players, Ngolo Kanté and Antonio Rudiger.

When we contacted nutrition experts, they explained that one month in the life of a sportsman who follows a strict training routine and a diet in line with his physical activity during the rest of the year has no influence whatsoever on his performance.

His or her body has other resources to counteract the lack of nutrients and hydration when there is a prolonged period of fasting.

An athlete who follows the right habits throughout the year can get through Ramadan without affecting his performance.

And in the case of Karim Benzema it has coincided with an extraordinary month of performance.

The French-Algerian player has brought the vast majority of the football world to agree in declaring him the best footballer at the moment.

And he has made us forget the debates between Messi and Cristiano that for years have dominated the Ballon d'Or.