Lionel Messi claimed his 8th Ballon d’Or trophy last night to put him at arm’s length clear of his closest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, whose last and fifth award came in 2017. The former Barcelona man claimed the award thanks to his heroics at the last World Cup in Qatar, leading Argentina to their first World Cup title in the past few decades.
The little Argentine magician may not have the most ripped body, but he reportedly follows a strict diet that helps keep him in shape for his career. So what kind of eating routine does Messi follow? Let’s explore the Argentine’s choice of diet.
What is Lionel Messi’s diet?
Lionel Messi takes his diet very seriously, which is why he has some of the best nutritionists in the business to help him stay fit and continue to work magic on the pitch. The Argentine works with Italian nutritionist Giuliano Poser who claims Messi relies on five key foods: whole grains, fresh fruit, water, fresh vegetables, and olive oil.
The Italian nutritionist revealed he advised his client to cut down on sugar, which has helped him take his game to the next level. “Also very good are nuts and seeds. Sugar is the worst thing for the muscles. The farther he stays away from sugar, the better,” he revealed.
“Refined flours are also a big problem these days; it’s difficult to find uncontaminated wheat.
“Also, the amount of meat normally eaten by Argentinians and Uruguayans is too much, as it is difficult to digest. My methods are not in doubt; everyone can see Leo week in, week out,” Poser bragged.
Messi’s Ballon d’Or victory last night caused controversy online as it had been revealed a week earlier that he was the winner, with Didier Drogba fueling the speculation days before the ceremony.
Lionel Messi’s training routine
Despite his 8th Ballon d’Or win in France last night, some fans, particularly people who think Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the business, think Lionel Messi has always had everything come easy for him. Some have even claimed he doesn’t train as much because he’s naturally talented, and people like Cristiano Ronaldo have had to work twice as hard to achieve everything they have in their career.
Lionel Messi solely focuses on ensuring his body is up to speed. According to Pinata, Messi prioritizes getting his agility to the maximum before each matchday and also works hard on his linear speed. His workout is also reportedly divided into two sections that contain different exercises. The basic ones include hamstring stretches, pillar skips, pillar bridge-front, and lunges.
The one involves training that helps him maximize his multidirectional speed. This includes using skipping ropes, squats, and pillar skips. He also builds his agility by skipping past diagonal hurdles, cones, and other obstacles.
Messi’s training routine has proved effective over time, as it landed him his 8th Ballon d’Or last night in France.
Thierry Henry would have been proud if his prediction of Messi’s victory at the awards came to pass, as he had claimed the World Cup winner was a more deserved winner than Erling Haaland.
Should Erling Haaland have won the award instead of Messi? Tell us what you think in the comments section.
