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Olive oil and special chicken recipe… Such is the diet of 19 year old Lamine Yamal, this is the footballer’s favorite pre-match dish.
Samira Vishwas | July 15, 2026 7:24 AM CST

It is not easy to leave your mark in the world’s biggest football tournament, the FIFA World Cup, at just 19 years of age. But Spain’s young star Lamin Yamal is in the news not only for his game but also for his fitness and diet. To perform well on the football field, not only hard practice but proper diet is also equally important.

Lamin follows a very balanced diet to maintain his fitness. His diet includes plenty of water, olive oil, fresh fruits, green vegetables and a good amount of protein, while he stays away from junk food and things high in sugar. Yamal also has a special favorite dish before the big match. He likes to eat a chicken recipe called ‘Pollo en Cacahuate’, which consists of rice, chicken and peanut gravy.

How is Lamin’s diet?

According to media reports, Lamin Yamal takes a diet for his fitness, which is quite similar to Lionel Messi’s diet. However, keeping in mind their age and body needs, some changes have been made in it. The purpose of this diet is to provide adequate strength to the body, help in quick recovery after the match and maintain energy throughout the game. This is the reason why Yamal stays away from junk food, excessively sweet things and unhealthy food.

What things do you focus on the most?

Five things are given the most importance in Yamal’s diet.

  • drink plenty of water
  • use of olive oil
  • Whole grains
  • fresh fruits
  • green and fresh vegetables
  • Apart from this, he pays special attention to keeping the body hydrated. Good quality protein is also included in the diet, so that the muscles remain strong.

What do you like to eat before a match?

Before a big match, Lamin Yamal likes to eat a special traditional dish, which is called ‘Pollo en Cacahuate’. This is a famous dish of his mother’s country, Equatorial Guinea. It consists of a thick gravy or sauce made from rice, chicken and peanuts. Apart from being tasty, it also gives strength and energy to the body for a long time, that is why Yamal likes to eat it before the match.

From what things do you create distance?

To maintain his fitness, Lamin Yamal eats more sugar and less things made from flour. He prefers light food rich in fish and protein instead of high-fat red meat. Apart from this, regularly use olive oil in your diet to keep the body healthy and reduce internal inflammation.

What are the benefits of this dish?

Experts say that the rice present in this dish gives strength to the body for a long time, due to which the players remain energetic throughout the match. Chicken provides a good amount of protein, which helps in keeping the muscles strong. At the same time, peanut gravy provides healthy fats and plant-based protein to the body. This is the reason why this dish is considered a good and balanced option to eat before the match.


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