The world’s best footballers spend most of the year following carefully controlled nutrition plans. Every meal is designed to improve recovery, maintain peak fitness, and maximise performance. But even elite athletes have favourite comfort foods.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway, fans are focused on goals, tactics, and championship ambitions. Yet behind the strict diets and training regimens, some of football’s biggest names have surprisingly relatable cravings. From Portuguese cod dishes and Egyptian street food to Korean barbecue and Italian pasta bakes, these meals offer a glimpse into the personalities and cultures that shaped the sport’s most recognisable stars.
Why Do Elite Footballers Have Cheat Meals?
Sports nutrition has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Most professional footballers work closely with dietitians to manage calorie intake, recovery, hydration, and muscle maintenance.
That doesn’t mean they never indulge.
Cheat meals serve several purposes:
- They provide a psychological break from restrictive eating.
- They help athletes maintain a healthy relationship with food.
- They often reconnect players with family traditions and home cultures.
- They offer a reward after intense competition or training periods.
For many football legends, comfort food isn’t about excess. It’s about familiarity.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Favourite Comfort Food Reflects His Portuguese Roots
Bacalhau à Brás: Portugal’s Beloved Cod Dish
Few athletes are more associated with discipline than Cristiano Ronaldo. His famously strict diet has become part of his public image.
When he does indulge, however, Ronaldo reportedly gravitates toward Bacalhau à Brás, one of Portugal’s most iconic dishes.
Made with:
- Salted cod
- Eggs
- Thinly sliced potatoes
- Onions
- Parsley
The dish combines protein-rich ingredients with comforting textures, making it a natural choice for a post-season celebration.
Lionel Messi Stays Loyal to an Argentine Classic
Milanesa Napolitana Remains a Family Favourite
Despite spending much of his career abroad, Lionel Messi’s food preferences remain deeply tied to Argentina.
His preferred comfort meal is Milanesa Napolitana, a breaded meat cutlet topped with tomato sauce, ham, and melted cheese.
Often compared to a cross between chicken parmesan and a schnitzel, the dish occupies a special place in Argentine home cooking. It’s hearty, nostalgic, and unmistakably tied to the country’s culinary identity.
Kylian Mbappé Prefers Simplicity Done Well
Jamón Ibérico and Manchego Cheese
French superstar Kylian Mbappé’s reported favourite indulgence is surprisingly minimalist.
Rather than a large meal, he enjoys premium Jamón Ibérico paired with Manchego cheese.
The pairing highlights a broader European food tradition where quality ingredients take center stage. Rich, savoury, and intensely flavorful, the combination delivers satisfaction without complexity.
Mohamed Salah Chooses Egypt’s Most Famous Street Food
Why Koshari Is So Popular
Few dishes represent Egyptian cuisine better than Koshari.
Mohamed Salah’s favorite comfort food combines:
- Rice
- Pasta
- Lentils
- Tomato sauce
- Crispy onions
- Signature spices
At first glance, the combination may seem unusual. Yet Koshari has become one of Egypt’s most beloved dishes because it is affordable, filling, and packed with contrasting textures.
For Salah, it also represents a connection to home despite years spent competing in Europe.
Lamine Yamal’s Choice Reflects Football’s Global Influence
Arroz con Pollo y Salsa de Cacahuete
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal reportedly favors Arroz con Pollo y Salsa de Cacahuete.
The dish combines:
- Chicken
- Rice
- Peanut-based sauce
- Rich Latin American flavor influences
Its popularity highlights the increasingly multicultural nature of modern football, where players often embrace foods that reflect diverse family backgrounds and international experiences.
Neymar Loves a Traditional Brazilian Feast
Rice, Beans, Farofa, and Meat
Brazilian cuisine is famous for balancing simplicity with bold flavor.
Neymar’s preferred comfort meal includes a classic Brazilian spread featuring:
- Rice
- Beans
- Farofa
- Fried potatoes
- Meat
The meal reflects the everyday foods enjoyed across Brazil rather than an elaborate restaurant specialty.
That may be part of its appeal. For many athletes, the best cheat meal is the one that feels most like home.
Erling Haaland Has a Weakness for Turkish Kebab
A Protein-Packed Indulgence
Given his imposing physique, it is perhaps unsurprising that Erling Haaland enjoys kebabs.
The Norwegian striker has spoken openly about his appreciation for Turkish cuisine, with kebabs ranking among his favorite indulgent meals.
While kebabs are often associated with late-night dining in Europe, authentic Turkish versions offer a rich combination of grilled meats, spices, vegetables, and fresh bread.
Harry Kane Keeps It Surprisingly Healthy
Salmon, Rice, and Vegetables
Not every cheat meal involves deep-fried comfort food.
England captain Harry Kane reportedly favors a straightforward combination of:
- Salmon
- Rice
- Vegetables
The choice reflects the modern athlete’s approach to indulgence. Sometimes comfort comes not from excess but from enjoying a well-prepared version of familiar staples.
Compared with some of the richer dishes on this list, Kane’s favorite stands out for its balance and simplicity.
Kevin De Bruyne Prefers Italian Comfort Food
Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
Belgian midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne reportedly turns to Italian cuisine when he wants to treat himself.
Spinach and ricotta cannelloni combines:
- Pasta tubes
- Creamy ricotta
- Spinach
- Rich tomato or béchamel sauce
- Melted cheese
The result is the kind of deeply comforting baked pasta dish that has earned Italian food its worldwide popularity.
Son Heung-min Celebrates With Korean Classics
Bulgogi and Kimchi
South Korean star Son Heung-min favors a combination that has become globally recognized.
His preferred comfort meal includes:
- Bulgogi (marinated grilled beef)
- Kimchi (fermented vegetables)
The pairing delivers a balance of savoury, sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.
It also reflects the growing international influence of Korean cuisine, which has expanded far beyond its traditional markets over the past decade.
What These Favourite Foods Reveal About Football’s Biggest Stars
The most interesting aspect of these cheat meals isn’t the indulgence itself.
Despite their international fame, many footballers remain closely connected to the foods they grew up eating. Ronaldo turns to Portuguese cod. Messi favors an Argentine staple. Salah chooses Egypt’s most iconic street dish. Son embraces Korean comfort food.
Their choices demonstrate how food continues to serve as a powerful link to identity, family, and culture—even for athletes who spend much of their lives traveling the world.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 unfolds, fans will celebrate spectacular goals, dramatic saves, and unforgettable moments. But once the final whistle blows on July 19, some of football’s biggest stars may be thinking about something much simpler: the comfort meal waiting at the end of the tournament.
TL;DR
Here are the favourite cheat meals associated with some of football’s biggest names:
