From Messi to Haaland... "Mate" is the stars' drink that conquered stadiums
Amman3 min read
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The "mate" drink was not easily palatable to those trying it for the first time, as its sharp and bitter taste makes the experience difficult initially, before turning into a passion and a daily ritual, according to former Uruguayan goalkeeper Sebastián Viera.
The American sports website "The Athletic" shed light on this hot, stimulant herbal drink, which represents a semi-sacred ritual in Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, and southern Brazil, before moving to global stadiums thanks to football stars, led by Lionel Messi.
Messi leads the stars of "mate"
The sight of football stars carrying small mate cups equipped with a silver metal straw known as a "bombilla", along with a hot water flask, has become familiar when stepping off their team buses.
After the drink was associated with prominent names, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Emiliano Martínez, and Darwin Núñez, Norwegian star Erling Haaland recently joined the list of its fans, thanking his former Argentine teammates at Manchester City for introducing him to it.
Mate is prepared from the leaves of the "yerba mate" plant, known to the indigenous Guaraní people of the region. The spread of the drink has transcended its geographical borders, as Argentina shipped about 240 kilograms of it to the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, and it has also become part of the players' rituals during "Copa América" tournament camps.
Health benefits and a culture of communication
The status of mate goes beyond its distinctive taste, as sports nutrition expert José Blesa, who worked with Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, explains that the drink contributes to body hydration, contains a caffeine percentage higher than tea and lower than coffee, which may help enhance alertness, focus, and activity. It also contains antioxidants.
The importance of mate is not limited to its health aspects, but extends to its social role; as it strengthens bonds between people and encourages closeness, whether in dressing rooms or during travel, according to Viera, who sees it as an opportunity for exchange and conversation.
This habit has transferred to European players, including Antoine Griezmann and Eric Dier, after interacting with their Latin American teammates and getting to know the mate-drinking rituals.
National obsession and an industry that transcends sports
In Argentina and Uruguay, per capita consumption of mate exceeds 6 kilograms annually, while the drink is present in more than 90% of homes. It has turned into part of cultural identity, with a national day dedicated to it and international awards organized around it, in addition to entering food industries, such as ice cream and chips, within promotional campaigns associated with football star Lionel Messi.
Despite competition over the origins and brands of mate, the drink remains a symbol of cultural identity and a means of communication between peoples, bringing its lovers together around a shared ritual that transcended the borders of South America and reached global football stadiums.
