A coconut shell-shaped cup, adorned with metal plates and a silver straw that protrudes from it, clinging to the lips of footballers as they make their way to the team bus and practice courts... This scene, so familiar to football fans across the globe, has always sparked curiosity about the mysterious contents of these cups.
During this year’s Copa America tournament, the secret behind this intriguing energy drink has finally spilled into the public domain: it’s called 'mate', a traditional beverage from Latin America.
Mate is prepared by steeping the dried leaves of 'yerba mate’, a plant with medicinal properties, in hot water. This drink traces its origins back to the Guarani tribe, the indigenous people of South America.
While mate is now available in the market under various brands, its popularity among players like Lionel Messi stems from more than just its taste. The drink embodies a piece of their tradition. Mate boasts antioxidants, vitamins, and a limited amount of caffeine, making it a natural energy booster.
When the Argentine football team boarded their flight to Qatar for the previous World Cup, they carried 240 kilograms of 'mate' leaves with them.
According to estimates from the National Yerba Mate Institute, 'mate’ is a staple in nearly 90 percent of Argentine households. During competitions, Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul always sit together for a "mate session" on match day mornings. Other star players like Emiliano Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, and Alexis Mac Allister are also known for their love of mate.
Over the years, this affection for 'mate’ has spread to European footballers who play alongside Latin American players in various leagues. In Europe, the player who serves as the brand ambassador of this drink is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, who once made headlines when he removed a bottle of Coca-Cola from his table during a press conference.