A Copa America final pitting Argentina against Uruguay would be the ultimate Maté matchup. However, La Celeste may have the upper hand, as its style is the preferred choice for Messi and the Argentine national team.
Yerba mate is a plant native to South America and belongs to the holly genus llex paraguariensis. Like tea, it is made by steeping dried leaves in hot water. The caffeinated South American drink has existed for several hundred years but has now come to the surface due to famous football stars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Have you ever wondered about that mysterious cup Lionel Messi carries around with his thermos before and after matches and during downtime? That’s Maté, and the thermos contains hot water. Like a cup of coffee, the drink has various health benefits but is also a bonding mechanism.
“In the morning we (he and Lionel Messi) get together and drink mate with Papu. We are the ones who get up the earliest.” Rodrigo De Paul told Tele Fe during the last World Cup. But did you know that the Argentina football team drinks the Uruguayan blend?
The Argentine national team drinks the Uruguayan Yerba mate brand, Canarias Serena. The Uruguayan blend offers a higher proportion of leaves to stems and uses finer cuts with more powder. The result is a greater energy boost and mental focus, possibly improving pitch performance. Ironically, this particular brand is produced in Brazil, which exited the Copa America in the quarterfinal.
After a match, Mate’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce muscle soreness and speed up recovery while aiding digestion and replenishing essential nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and potassium. And the social aspect of sharing yerba mate fosters team bonding and cultural connection.
So the next time you see former Barca legends and now Inter Miami pals Messi and Suarez sharing a uniquely designed cup, you’ll know it’s mate.
Photo: ig/leomessi
