Vardy kicks his port habit but energy drinks stay
Jamie Vardy has kicked his snus and port habits ahead of the World Cup, but will be sticking to his Red Bull and black coffee diet in Russia.
And there promises to be a vodka and Skittles party if Vardy, who is due to start England’s final warm-up game against Costa Rica at Elland Road tonight, can help Gareth Southgate’s side lift the World Cup.
The Leicester striker took snus nicotine pouches to France for Euro 2016 with the backing of the England medical team. But the use of snus in football has since become a controversial subject and Vardy does not want to be the poster boy for the stimulant that has been banned in parts of Europe.
“I had to kick it because you lot [the press] made a big deal about it, so I don’t think I’ll be getting pictured with them again,” said Vardy.
Asked exactly when he gave up his snus habit, Vardy replied: “Literally when it started to be plastered all over the papers. They made a big thing of it, I don’t know why. There’s nothing wrong with them, but it will be a big thing again if I’m pictured with them.
“It was a decision I took myself, nobody forced me. I thought I don’t need the hassle and we’re here to concentrate on England.”
Telegraph Sport understands Vardy has also given up his routine of drinking port from a Lucozade bottle on the night before games, but cannot bring himself to drop his match-day regime of drinking Red Bull energy drinks and black coffee. In his autobiography, Vardy revealed that on the day of a game he drinks his first can of Red Bull as soon as wakes up, before having his second at 11.30am after he has eaten a cheese and ham omelette with baked beans. The final can is saved for the build-up to the match itself.
Asked whether he would still be packing cans of Red Bull to take to Russia, Vardy said: “The Red Bulls are still there. The manager is fine about it. He sees me at breakfast every morning.”
Before being urged against it by Leicester’s medical team, one of Vardy’s favourite drinks used to be a bottle of vodka mixed with a packet of Skittles, and friends of the 31-year-old believe there is every chance he will make a special brew if England win the World Cup.
Despite his unconventional tastes, the former non-league player believes his late introduction into the top flight will help him keep going for longer. “I don’t feel my age,” he said. “After a day’s recovery I’m back at it again. So hopefully, because I did come into the game later, that means my legs will take me a lot further.”