The Foundation: A Rigorous Dietary Overhaul
Around 2014, Lionel Messi underwent a significant dietary shift orchestrated by Italian nutritionist Giuliano Poser. This move was prompted by recurrent injuries and on-field nausea he was experiencing. The new nutritional strategy moved away from the processed junk food and high meat consumption common in his Argentine upbringing and focused heavily on a Mediterranean-style diet centered on whole foods. The five key components of this diet are water, olive oil, whole grains, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables. Poser's plan restricted sugar and refined flours, which he considered detrimental to muscle regeneration. This nutritional discipline is the bedrock of Messi's physical conditioning, with supplementation serving to bridge any remaining gaps.
Messi's Known Supplements and Purpose
In addition to his meticulously planned meals, Messi is known to use several supplements. These are typically aimed at boosting performance, aiding recovery, and ensuring he receives optimal nutrients.
- Protein Shakes: A cornerstone of any elite athlete's routine, protein is vital for muscle repair and building. Messi reportedly consumes up to three protein shakes on days leading up to a match, supplementing his limited meat intake to ensure his body has the necessary building blocks for recovery.
- Multivitamins: To cover any potential micronutrient deficiencies, Messi incorporates multivitamins into his regimen. This is a standard practice for many athletes to support overall health and immune function.
- Yerba Maté Tea: More than just a drink, Yerba Maté is a cultural ritual for Messi and many South Americans. This traditional herbal drink provides a sustained, clean energy boost without the jitters associated with other caffeinated beverages. It is also packed with antioxidants and aids in digestion and mental focus.
- Glucose Tablets: During a 2017 Champions League match, Messi was famously seen taking a pill from his sock. It was later revealed to be a glucose tablet, a quick source of sugar to combat pre-game nausea and provide an immediate energy boost. This is a common and legitimate practice for many footballers.
- Más+ Hydration Drink: Messi is also the co-founder and face of Más+, a line of hydration drinks. These beverages are formulated with a blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and antioxidants and contain no artificial sweeteners or colors, providing clean hydration and replenishment.
The Role of Childhood Growth Hormone Treatment
Perhaps the most significant and widely discussed form of "supplementation" in Messi's history is his growth hormone therapy (GHD) as a teenager. Diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency at age 11, the expensive treatment was funded by FC Barcelona when they signed him. This corrective medical treatment, administered via daily injections, was crucial for his physical development. Without it, he would likely not have reached the size necessary to compete at the professional level. It is essential to distinguish this medically supervised treatment from performance-enhancing substance abuse; GHD corrected a legitimate medical condition, enabling him to realize his potential.
Comparison: Pre-Poser vs. Current Regimen
| Aspect | Pre-Giuliano Poser Regimen (Approx. Pre-2014) | Current Regimen (Under Poser's Guidance) |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary Focus | Often included processed foods, pizza, and high quantities of red meat. | Centered on water, olive oil, whole grains, fresh fruit, and vegetables. |
| Sugar & Refined Carbs | Higher intake of sugary drinks and processed carbohydrates. | Strict limitations on sugar and refined flours, considered harmful to muscles. |
| Energy Boost | Relying on quick, potentially unhealthy sugar fixes, which sometimes led to nausea. | Yerba Maté for a natural, sustained energy boost and focus. |
| Supplements | Less publicly documented, though he underwent GHD treatment as a youth. | Regimented use of protein shakes, multivitamins, Yerba Maté, and specific hydration drinks. |
| Hydration | Relied on water but likely also consumed sugary beverages. | Consumes large amounts of water and uses his own electrolyte-rich hydration drink, Más+. |
How Messi's Supplementation Fits a Broader Athletic Context
Messi's approach reflects a broader trend in elite sports, where marginal gains are sought through optimized nutrition and legitimate supplementation. His use of products like protein and multivitamins aligns with standard sports nutrition advice, filling dietary gaps for enhanced recovery and overall health. The use of glucose tablets is a specific tactic for managing energy levels and combating nausea under intense match pressure, a strategy used by many professional athletes. His personal endorsement of Más+ highlights the importance of tailored hydration for athletes. Importantly, his childhood GHD treatment is an example of medical science correcting a physical limitation, rather than an enhancement for an already healthy athlete. This case demonstrates how a holistic approach, combining a meticulous diet, appropriate supplements, and medical intervention when needed, has contributed to his sustained success.
Conclusion: More Than Just the Supplements
In conclusion, the answer to whether Lionel Messi takes supplements is a definitive yes, but it is part of a much larger, highly disciplined approach to nutrition and physical maintenance. His supplement intake includes standard athletic products like protein shakes and multivitamins, as well as culturally significant Yerba Maté and proprietary hydration formulas. Beyond these, his early life required a medically supervised growth hormone treatment to overcome a significant deficiency. This holistic strategy, not just the supplements alone, allows Messi to perform at the highest level while managing his body's unique requirements.
Dietary Supplements & Young Athletes - Nationwide Children's Hospital
How Messi Fuels His Body: A Breakdown
- Dietary Foundation: Messi's regimen is built on a whole-food diet rich in water, olive oil, whole grains, and fresh produce, drastically limiting processed sugars and flours.
- Protein for Recovery: To support muscle repair and growth, particularly with his reduced meat intake, Messi regularly consumes protein shakes.
- Strategic Energy Boost: For consistent energy and mental focus, Messi relies on Yerba Maté tea, a traditional South American drink, rather than sugary options.
- Quick Glucose Fix: The famous 'pill from his sock' was a glucose tablet, a legitimate tool used for a quick energy surge and to manage nausea during high-pressure games.
- Medically Corrective Treatment: As a youth, Messi's use of Growth Hormone Therapy was a crucial, medically prescribed intervention to overcome a diagnosed deficiency, not a performance-enhancing drug.
FAQs
What specific supplements does Lionel Messi use?
Lionel Messi uses supplements including protein shakes for muscle recovery, multivitamins for general wellness, and Yerba Maté tea for energy and focus. He also utilizes glucose tablets for quick energy boosts during matches.
Why did Messi take a pill out of his sock during a game?
During a 2017 Champions League game, Messi was seen taking a pill from his sock to combat feelings of nausea. The pill was a glucose tablet, a common and legitimate supplement used by footballers for a rapid energy boost.
What is Yerba Maté, and why does Messi drink it?
Yerba Maté is a traditional South American herbal tea rich in antioxidants and caffeine. Messi drinks it for a sustained energy lift, mental clarity, and as a cultural ritual that connects him to his roots.
Did Messi use performance-enhancing drugs as a child?
No, as a child, Messi was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency and received medically supervised growth hormone therapy to correct the condition and enable normal growth. This is not considered performance-enhancing substance abuse but a corrective medical treatment.
Is Messi's personal hydration drink, Más+, a supplement?
Más+ is a hydration drink line founded by Messi that contains a blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and antioxidants. It is designed for positive hydration and is a supplement to his regular water intake, not a high-caffeine energy drink.
What is the biggest takeaway from Messi's supplement use?
The main takeaway is that Messi's use of supplements is part of a larger, highly disciplined approach to nutrition and physical health. The supplements complement a strict whole-foods diet rather than being the sole driver of his performance.
Does Messi's diet include meat?
While Messi's diet under nutritionist Giuliano Poser significantly reduced his intake of meat, he has not eliminated it entirely and reportedly still enjoys traditional Argentine dishes occasionally.
