Khaleej Times

Messi blames bad diet for his on-field ill health

- IANS

barcelona — A change in his diet has helped Argentine FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi not throw up on the pitch during games, the celebrated forward revealed.

“I ate badly for many years: chocolates, fizzy drinks, and everything,” Messi told La Cornisa TV.

“That is what made me throw up during games. Now I look after myself better. I eat fish, meat, salads. Everything is organised and taken care of,” Messi added.

There were concerns over Messi’s state of health and many thought the five-time Ballon d’Or might have an illness, or was suffering from stress.

“I’ve learned to live the way I do, to be myself because at the end of

5 Times Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or

I ate badly for many years: chocolates, fizzy drinks, and everything Lionel Messi

the day it’s easier to do it that way,” the 30-year-old conceded.

“I don’t think too much about how I have to act because of constantly being watched. I’m aware that whenever I speak there are many people that listen, that there are repercussi­ons. I always try to think about what I say in order not to generate controvers­ies.”

Messi also talked about his sons. He welcomed Ciro, his third, earlier this month, but the occasion did not make him emotional.

“The last time I cried for joy was when my son Mateo was born (2015),” Messi said. “By the time the third one came, I was already used to it!”

Messi added that the birth in 2012 of his first son, Thiago, influenced his life and he could take onfield defeats in a better way.

“The arrival of my first son (Thiago) made me open my mind, not to focus solely on my profession, on football,” he said. “Of course I don’t like to draw or lose but I take it differentl­y. There are many important things other than a result.

“In the end it’s a game and everyone wants to win, be a champion and be the best.” —

 ?? AP ?? Messi heads for the ball past Athletic Bilbao’s Benat Etxebarria during their recent La Liga match. —
AP Messi heads for the ball past Athletic Bilbao’s Benat Etxebarria during their recent La Liga match. —

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