Al-Arabi ⚽️
Elite Fueling in Qatar’s Top League 🇶🇦
In 2024, I joined Al-Arabi SC in the Qatar Football Super League as a performance nutritionist, Al-Arabi SC being one of Qatar’s most iconic and successful football clubs, with 7 League Titles and 9 Emir of Qatar Cup wins.
Football
2024 - Now
First Team PN
League
Qatar QSL
Fueling Under the Sun in a League on the Rise
While not at the level of Europe’s top leagues like the Premier League or Bundesliga, the Qatar Stars League is part of a region rapidly investing in football infrastructure and talent. The level of professionalism is high, and clubs like Al-Arabi are increasingly home to internationally experienced players. A trend mirrored by the growth seen in Saudi Arabia’s league.
Known for its rich legacy and ambitions, the club competes across multiple fronts (the Qatar Stars League, the Emir Cup, and the AFC Champions League) requiring relentless preparation, adaptability, and performance at a high level.
With Al-Arabi competing on 3 fronts, the demands on players were constant and varied. I was brought in to help elevate the club’s performance nutrition strategies under these unique conditions.
The climate in Doha presents unique physiological challenges: high heat, high humidity, and consistent dehydration risk. These conditions make nutrition, hydration, and recovery absolutely vital.
From day one, I developed heat adapted strategies, ensuring players were fully supported in preparation for training and matches under oppressive environmental stress. My approach included:
Customised hydration and electrolyte protocols based on sweat testing and individual loss rates
Meal periodisation aligned with training loads, including pre-dawn fueling during Ramadan
Heat acclimatisation recovery protocols, using cold-water immersion and anti-inflammatory foods
Matches were frequently played in temperatures exceeding 40°C, with recovery windows often limited to less than 72 hours due to the demanding competition schedule.
Working with Elite-Level Players
At Al-Arabi, I had the opportunity to support world-class, internationally accomplished players like:
Marco Verratti – EURO 2020 Winner, 9x French Champion with PSG, UEFA Champions League Finalist
Abdou Diallo – Africa Cup of Nations Winner with Senegal, UEFA Champions League Finalist and over 200 appearances across PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Mainz and Monaco
Working with athletes at this level meant being precise and fully focused on their individual needs. I tracked their body composition, built custom supplement plans, and adjusted match-day meals based on their position. I worked closely with coaches, medical staff, and analysts to make sure everything came together to support peak performance.
Competing Across Borders
Being part of a squad competing simultaneously in the QSL, the Emir Cup, and the AFC Champions League meant preparation had to adapt week by week. Players faced travel, time zone shifts, unfamiliar foods, and short recovery cycles. I anticipated these demands and delivered proactive solutions:
Travel specific nutrition kits with compliant snacks, supplements, and hydration products
Recovery menus for away fixtures, tailored for hotel kitchens or catering teams
Anti inflammatory dietary strategies to reduce DOMS and support load management across back to back fixtures
Beyond the Plate: Building Buy-In and Culture
Players don’t just need food, they need trust in their performance team. I built personal relationships with squad members to ensure buy-in, educating them on why each intervention mattered.
Every gram, every hour, and every degree of heat mattered. But the reward? Improved energy availability, reduced fatigue markers, faster recovery, and performance that matched the demands of top tier football in one of the world’s fastest growing leagues.
