Chewing gum, once a habit exclusive to goalkeepers, is now a common sight among the world's biggest football stars, So Foot reports. Experts state this seemingly recreational item plays a vital role for many players.

Players chew gum not for fresh breath during disputes with referees or interactions with opponents, but to enhance performance. It provides three core benefits for optimizing physical fitness: instant energy, sustained focus, and psychological readiness. Top players have acknowledged these benefits and actively request to use it.

The trend originated with a doctor from the Monaco club. At World Cup 2026, there is a 50% chance any continuously chewed gum is from a French brand called One Gum. Founded in 2013 by ba student friends, One Gum is now a market leader.

This caffeine-infused gum, initially for the public, entered the sports world via a gas station. Ludovic Rachou, the brand's co-founder and president, explained that the team distributed trial products during holidays, setting up stalls at gas stations to reach a broad customer base and cater to long-distance oto trips. There, they coincidentally gave a sample to a doctor from AS Monaco. Recognizing its effectiveness, the team began ordering large quantities directly from the company's website.

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Algeria in his 200th match for the Argentina national team. *Photo: Reuters*

In 2016, the French national team adopted the gum after their Euro final defeat. The brand's management initially dismissed an email from the French Football Federation, requesting delivery to the Clairefontaine training center for players, as a prank. Since then, the company has expanded its sports partnerships, now supplying products to most Ligue 1 teams, the Top 14 rugby league, and several La Liga clubs, including Real Madrid.

The product's key feature is its ability to provide instant energy. The gum contains vitamin B and, notably, caffeine – an active ingredient absorbed by the body much faster than traditional energy gels or sports drinks. Rachou explained that caffeine dissolves in the mouth in just 5 minutes, directly absorbing through the mucous membranes into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. This rapid absorption suits sports requiring high precision, such as football, basketball, or rugby.

Nicolas Bouriette, a specialist with 16 years of experience in professional sports and former performance director at Stade de Reims, provides gum to players at specific times. "We provide chewing gum to players on high-energy training days and during matches, specifically just before kickoff and at halftime," he states.

However, acceptance varies based on a player's nationality and cultural habits. At Reims, European or American players readily adopted it due to prior familiarity, whereas Japanese players showed less enthusiasm, as it is not part of their usual consumption.

Beyond its caffeine content, chewing gum also affects psychological state. The chewing motion helps players maintain focus. NBA legend Michael Jordan, a proponent of this habit, admitted that during timeouts, he only thought about his gum. Bouriette added that certain vitamins help players anchor their minds to on-field tasks, simultaneously creating a positive placebo effect that enhances mental performance.

Many worry that chewing a pliable object during intense activity could cause choking. However, club coaching staff assert that this habit encourages players to breathe nasally during exertion, which regulates heart rate more effectively. No incidents have been recorded to date.

Chewing gum has become an indispensable psychological support. Midfielder Maxence Caqueret shared on L'Equipe that he feels a void without it before a match. World Cup 2026 is no exception. Some teams are innovating, such as the England squad, which is testing a gum to help control blood sugar and reduce sugar cravings.

By Binh Minh (According to So Foot)