Is Messi vegetarian? Debunking the Myth About the Football Legend's Diet

December 14, 2025 •

2 min read

Back in 2014, Lionel Messi underwent a dramatic and career-changing dietary overhaul, prompting widespread speculation about his eating habits, including the question: is Messi vegetarian? While he significantly increased his intake of healthy, plant-based foods, reliable evidence and his own statements confirm that the Argentine star is not, and has never been, a full vegetarian or vegan.

Quick Summary

Lionel Messi is not vegetarian; he follows a highly disciplined omnivorous diet that prioritizes whole foods and limits junk food. His dietary changes began in 2014 to boost performance and reduce injuries, but he still includes lean meats and fish.

Key Points

Fact vs. Fiction: Lionel Messi is not a vegetarian and has never fully eliminated meat from his diet.
Dietary Overhaul: In 2014, he consulted with nutritionist Giuliano Poser to shift away from junk food and heavy meats.
Plant-Heavy, Not Plant-Only: His diet emphasizes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables but includes lean animal proteins like fish and chicken.
Longevity Focus: The motivation for his dietary changes was improving performance, reducing injury risk, and extending his career.
Strategic Moderation: He still occasionally eats meat, particularly traditional Argentine dishes, but does so in moderation as part of a balanced plan.
Continual Refinement: Messi continues to work with nutritionists to adapt his diet, with recent focus on protein timing and food distribution.

For years, rumors about Lionel Messi's eating habits have circulated, with many fans and media outlets asserting that he became vegetarian or even vegan. The truth, however, is more nuanced. While Messi made drastic dietary changes to extend his illustrious career, he did not completely eliminate meat. The speculation stems from a major health-focused transition that began in 2014 under the guidance of a respected Italian nutritionist, Giuliano Poser.

The Catalyst for Change: From Junk Food to Fuel

Before 2014, Messi's diet was famously undisciplined, including junk food, fizzy drinks, and heavy Argentine dishes. These habits contributed to health issues and prompted a dietary change. Messi himself acknowledged the need for change as he aged. Consulting Giuliano Poser led to a diet centered on water, olive oil, whole grains, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables. Poser advised cutting out sugar, refined flours, and reducing meat consumption, but not eliminating it entirely.

Unpacking the Misconceptions: Why People Thought He Was Vegetarian

The most prominent cause of the vegetarian rumor was the radical shift in Messi's eating habits and the positive results it produced, making his diet heavily plant-focused. However, Messi has directly addressed the rumors, confirming his omnivorous diet. Photos have also shown him enjoying traditional Argentine barbecues. Reports indicate he consumes lean proteins like chicken and fish for muscle repair and performance.

Messi's Evolving Nutritional Strategy

Messi's approach to nutrition is dynamic, adapting to his changing needs. His nutritionist, Ismael Galancho, emphasizes a balanced diet with both animal and plant-based protein sources.

A Typical Day's Meal Plan

Morning: Light breakfast of whole grains and fruit.
Pre-match: Fish or chicken with potatoes and greens, and easily digestible fruits.
Post-match: Protein and complex carbohydrates for refueling.
Hydration: Water and Yerba Maté tea.

Old Diet vs. New Diet: A Comparison


Feature	Before 2014 Diet	Post-2014 Diet (Current)
Carbohydrates	Sugar, processed carbs (pizza)	Whole grains (brown rice, pasta), fruits
Protein	Heavy consumption of red meat (Milanesa)	Lean meats (chicken), fish, plant-based proteins
Beverages	Fizzy drinks (Pepsi), alcohol	Water, Yerba Maté tea
Junk Food	Frequent indulgence (cookies, pizza)	Strictly limited, replaced with healthy alternatives
Fruits & Vegetables	Inconsistent, not a priority	Foundational part of every meal
Health Focus	Driven by taste and convenience	Performance, recovery, and injury prevention

Conclusion

The question "is Messi vegetarian?" is a misconception. Lionel Messi maintains peak performance through a disciplined omnivorous diet that heavily features fruits, vegetables, and whole grains alongside lean meats and fish. His dietary shift in 2014 was a strategic move to prolong his career, demonstrating the importance of balanced nutrition over strict labels.

Foods Messi Avoids to Maintain Peak Performance

Processed carbs
Sugary drinks
Junk food
Fried food
Excessive alcohol

His disciplined approach, not a vegetarian diet, is key to his longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Lionel Messi is not a vegan. While he follows a plant-heavy diet and avoids junk food, he has confirmed consuming fish and meat in moderation.

Messi's diet is centered around water, olive oil, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. He also includes lean protein sources like fish and chicken.

Messi changed his diet in 2014 on the advice of nutritionist Giuliano Poser to improve his health, reduce injuries, combat vomiting spells, and extend his career.

He significantly reduced or eliminated junk food, fast food, sugary drinks, refined flours, and excessive red meat.

Yes, he does. Messi has stated that he still eats meat and fish, and has been pictured enjoying traditional Argentine barbecue, though his overall meat consumption is much lower than it once was.

Messi has worked with several nutritionists. He famously revamped his diet with Giuliano Poser in 2014 and more recently received guidance from Ismael Galancho.

Yes, many reports indicate that his refined diet has significantly improved his performance, increased stamina, sped up recovery, and reduced his risk of injury, contributing to his longevity.