Messi's pizza habit nearly ruined his career

Indulging in his favorite cheese pizza and carbonated soft drinks once caused Lionel Messi's performance to decline, leading to persistent injuries and bouts of vomiting on the field.

Behind the glory of his numerous titles, superstar Lionel Messi once faced a serious physical crisis attributed to an unhealthy diet, according to Independent. During his years at Barcelona, the Argentine forward was a loyal devotee of cheese pizza, sweet alfajores cookies, chocolate, and carbonated soft drinks. This indulgence became the number 10 player's "Achilles' heel," leading to persistent muscle injuries and frequent vomiting on the field.

His decline peaked during the 2013-2014 season, when Messi recorded his lowest performance since 2008, scoring 36 goals in 39 matches. This contributed to the Catalan club ending the season without any trophies. Carles Rexach, a former player and the club's sports director, openly criticized him to the media, stating, "He used to eat at the club and rest. But I believe last year Messi ate more pizza than he should have."

Messi cried after Argentina's dramatic victory over Egypt in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Photo: Reuters

The Argentine forward's eating habits aligned with previously leaked documents. The Spanish newspaper Libertad Digital once published Barcelona's full team snack menu before a match against Malaga. The Argentine superstar opted for a cheese pizza and a soft drink to quell his hunger. Messi later admitted on La Cornisa TV, "I ate very badly for many years. That's why I vomited during matches."

The turning point in his career came in 2014, when he traveled to Sacile, Italy, to seek help from sports medicine nutritionist Giuliano Poser. Poser completely transformed Messi's lifestyle through a strict nutritional overhaul. According to Italy's Panorama magazine, the nutritionist strictly prohibited all foods containing preservatives, pesticides, antifungals, saturated fats, hydrogenated vegetable fats, and other additives. Messi also had to eliminate sucrose and alcohol from his diet, while reducing his intake of red meat, known for being difficult to digest.

Instead, the new diet centered on natural organic products, built on 5 core pillars: mineral water, high-quality olive oil, whole grains, fresh fruits, and green vegetables. Poser emphasized that sugar is the worst culprit for the muscular system. He also highlighted refined flour as a significant risk, noting the difficulty in finding uncontaminated wheat sources today.

Beyond the strict diet, to optimize effectiveness, Messi underwent monthly kinesiology tests to identify and eliminate any intolerant foods from his diet. He also received Bach flower essence therapy to alleviate mental pressure and psychological stress.

This comprehensive approach proved effective, helping Messi lose about 3 kg, eliminating his on-field vomiting, and preventing persistent muscle injuries. His revitalized physique helped him score 98 goals in his next 102 matches for Barcelona, also ending Cristiano Ronaldo's dominance of the Ballon d'Or award.

The strict regimen from his past shaped Messi's ongoing commitment to prioritizing natural, whole foods daily. He once admitted that abandoning his reckless eating habits from his youth was key to his body's significantly faster recovery. Now, when he occasionally desires his favorite food, the Argentine superstar often chooses a Napolitana pizza, reminiscent of home, from an Argentine restaurant in Florida.

This pizza is traditionally topped with juicy roasted tomatoes, onions, and whole green olives. While this choice sparked debate on social media regarding taste, it aligns perfectly with the world champion's philosophy of prioritizing natural foods, a principle he has followed since his life-altering change.