Messi's Fitness Secret: Avoid These Foods and Special Exercises

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi is known as one of the best footballers of all time. The secret to his fitness for more than 20 years is not only due to talent, but also a disciplined lifestyle and diet.

Messi used to eat without many rules such as sweet snacks, fizzy drinks, pizza, and red meat are often his choice. But after a while his body began to signal such as nausea to vomiting during the match. From here he realized that food could affect performance.

Around 2014, Messi started working with Italian nutritionist Giuliano Poser. The simple goal is to reduce inflammation and help muscles recover faster. Poser emphasizes one important thing, namely foods that the body can accept at the age of 18 are not necessarily suitable at the age of 27.

Messi's diet is simple but strict. Reported from the Times of India website, the five main pillars of his diet are water, olive oil, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Nuts and grains are also on the list of important foods. Protein is obtained from fish, chicken, and protein shakes. Although the news of vegans has been circulating, Messi still eats meat but is limited.

What keeps Messi's body fit is avoiding certain types of food, including sugar, refined flour, processed carbohydrates, carbonated drinks, and junk food.

By reducing sugar and processed foods, Messi managed to suppress injuries and digestive problems.

Nutrition Intake Before the Match Day

Messi's way of preparing his body before the match day is:

- 10 days before the match: reduce carbohydrates, focus on protein shakes and hydration

- 5 days before the match: add vegetable soup with spices such as turmeric and ginger

- 1 day before the match: light meal, focus on fish/chicken, boiled potatoes, vegetables, and fruit

- 90 minutes before the match: consume quick snacks such as bananas or apples

Instead of soda, Messi drinks Yerba Maté, a traditional South American drink that gives caffeine without excess sugar and increases focus. Hydration is always maintained before, during, and after the match.

Messi routinely stretched for up to an hour a day at Barcelona, prioritizing flexibility over heavy lifting. His strength training was light, focused on stability and balance, not muscle mass. Speed and agility exercises helped him stay agile on the field.