- Joel Muñoz
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
El mate, ¿secreto del éxito de los futbolistas?
Many scientific studies have shown that yerba mate boasts very healthy properties thanks to its vast concentration of antioxidants and nutrients.
That's why, in countries with a strong sense of "mate" (amate-loving) spirit, like Uruguay and Argentina, this ancient infusion is a tradition as deeply rooted as soccer itself; an activity with which it seems to pair very well. South American soccer players—even those with a World Cup bent—know how to appreciate the benefits of a pleasant mateada before their training sessions and matches.
A good mate for a good goal
Mate has become the best pre- and post-match ally for top soccer players. In addition to being an essential ritual, a talisman, and an energy booster, they have found countless properties and benefits in it:
Mate is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system, and drinking it naturally increases energy and brain activity.
Drinking mate helps the metabolism make better use of carbohydrates, increasing physical endurance.
Drinking mate reduces muscle fatigue by preventing excessive lactic acid production, which is generated as a result of the intense physical activity typical of high-performance sports.
In addition to providing energy, the caffeine in mate improves psychomotor function and prevents cellular wear and tear.
Yerba mate has anti-inflammatory effects that promote recovery and rehabilitation after physical exercise.
It also promotes cardiovascular health, which translates into better physical condition and high performance on the court.
Cold in winter or hot in summer, sweet or bitter, alone or combined with other flavors; mate is natural and still much healthier than the energy drinks that top soccer players have on the market.
Which soccer players drink the most mate?
Players from Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay regularly drink mate, and many proudly display it on social media. Who drinks more mate? The acclaimed Argentine Leo Messi, Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez, or even Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, who drinks mate every morning without fail and before every training session? It's hard to say. Uruguayan footballers are known to carry twice as many thermoses and mates as Argentines; although both players also relax with mate to release the tension and challenges of their national team commitments.
