Some of the world’s top football players often appear with Mate cups in hand. What is Mate? Goal takes a look at this South American tea and how to make it.

Top professional athletes are always looking to improve their performance, and the smallest changes to lifestyle, training and diet can make a huge difference.

In recent years, more and more football players have started drinking mate – a drink enjoyed by Pope Francis – and the trend has spread from South America to Europe.

There are many health benefits associated with this drink, but its preparation and consumption is also a social event for those who participate.

So what exactly is it? GOAL will learn about mate, which football players like it and how to mix it.

What is mate tea?

Mate (pronounced mah-teh) is a traditional South American hot beverage high in caffeine, made from dried and minced mate leaves.

It has a bitter flavor and is popular in countries such as Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, as well as in Syria and Lebanon.

Sometimes called chimarrao in Portuguese or cimarron in Spanish, this drink originates from the indigenous Guarani and Tupi people of South America.

Often, mate is shared in a social space between friends, with everyone drinking from the same container.

Although usually served hot, mate can also be served as an iced tea.

Which footballer often drinks mate tea?

Since it’s a traditional South American drink, it’s no surprise to learn that stars from countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay regularly drink mate.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is perhaps the most famous player who enjoys drinking mate, and the Barcelona striker is often photographed with the drink on social media.

Messi’s teammate at Barca, Luis Suarez, is also a fan of mate, as is his compatriot Sergio Aguero.

World Cup winners Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba also appear to have included it in their diets, as does Brazil star Neymar.

Gonzalo Higuain was captured in the Netflix documentary “First Team: Juventus” enjoying mate, and the Argentine striker shared the drink with South American teammates Douglas Costa and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Interestingly, the custom of drinking mate spread to England before the 2018 World Cup, with several Tottenham players introducing it to the national team.

Eric Dier revealed that the South American influence at the North London club – including Erik Lamela, Juan Foyth and manager Mauricio Pochettino – helped spread the drink.

Danny Rose and Dele Alli have included it in their diet.

“At Tottenham, quite a few players have started drinking mate,” Dier told the Daily Telegraph. “I got a little addicted to it.

“With Tottenham we had a lot of Argentines, so I started drinking it with them and now the English players are trying to pretend to be South Americans.

“Danny Rose and I occasionally drink mate in our own rooms when with the England team.”

Mate tea kit

Benefits of mate tea

As you might expect, the reason mate is so popular among football players is because of the health benefits associated with it.

A caffeine-rich beverage, mate has a stimulating effect, similar to tea or coffee, and is said to increase concentration and improve mood, while also helping to improve sleep quality.

Thanks to its polyphenol antioxidants, mate is also said to be a useful nutritional supplement for those looking to lose weight – similar to green tea.

This beverage also contains vitamins B and C, important for metabolism and the immune system, respectively.

How to make mate tea?

It is served in a jar, traditionally made from coconut gourds, and drunk through a metal or bamboo straw, called a bombilla, which acts as a filter.

The jar is filled about half to three-quarters with dried mate leaves, then the preparer covers it and shakes it to achieve the desired consistency.

The straw is then placed in the jar along with a drop of cold water. When the water settles, hot – but not boiling – water is added and voila!

Jars and straws can be very elaborate, with traditional silver used.