Footballers are always searching for an extra edge, whether through intense gym sessions, analyzing game footage, or following strict diets.
However, some players go beyond conventional methods, embracing techniques that range from innovative to outright bizarre. From inhaling magic potions to taking opera lessons, here are some of the strangest ways footballers try to enhance their performance.
Stem Cell Therapy – The Sci-Fi Treatment
This might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but stem cell therapy is a real and growing trend in football. Stem cells, which have the ability to transform into muscle, bone, or cartilage, are extracted from a player’s bone marrow or another donor and then injected into injured areas. The goal? To accelerate healing and regenerate damaged tissues.
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly undergone this treatment in Madrid to help with knee and hamstring issues. Elite clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona are also exploring its benefits, with some players even traveling to the U.S. or Germany to receive treatment due to varying regulations across countries.
While the promise of quicker recovery and fewer surgeries is appealing, stem cell therapy remains largely experimental. Despite the risks, with modern football’s high demands, many players are willing to try anything to stay at the top.
Vicks VapoRub – The Old-School Trick
A surprising yet popular pre-match ritual involves footballers smearing Vicks VapoRub on their chests. The menthol in Vicks creates a cooling sensation that some players believe helps open up their airways, making breathing easier during matches.
Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior has been seen applying it as part of his routine before stepping onto the pitch. While science suggests that Vicks doesn’t actually open nasal passages, the placebo effect can still make a difference. If it helps players feel more comfortable and focused, who are we to judge?
Snus – The Controversial Nicotine Boost
Snus, a smokeless tobacco product originating from Sweden, is another unusual performance-enhancing method used by some footballers. It comes in small pouches placed under the upper lip, slowly releasing nicotine into the bloodstream without the need for smoking.
Nicotine acts as a stimulant, potentially improving focus, reducing stress, and increasing alertness—factors that can be beneficial before high-pressure games. There have been reports of Snus use in Premier League dressing rooms, and former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was once photographed with a tin of Snus.
Despite the short-term perks, Snus carries health risks, including addiction and potential negative effects on endurance. While it remains a legal gray area in football, its long-term impact on performance is questionable.
Inhalers – Legal but Controversial
Inhalers are typically associated with asthma patients, but some footballers use them to gain a performance edge even without a medical diagnosis. These inhalers often contain salbutamol, which helps open the airways and allows for better oxygen flow—key to improved stamina and endurance.
In 2020, reports emerged that a significant number of Liverpool players were diagnosed with asthma, leading to widespread inhaler use. This sparked debates about whether this was a genuine medical necessity or a legal loophole for performance enhancement.
While using inhalers within allowed dosages isn’t illegal, questions remain about whether they provide an unfair advantage on the pitch.
Opera Lessons – The Vocal Edge
One of the most unexpected training methods belongs to Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, who took opera singing lessons to improve his communication on the pitch.
Upamecano often suffered from sore throats due to constant shouting during matches. To fix this, he trained with an opera singer in Leipzig to learn proper vocal projection techniques. As a result, he can now command his defense more effectively without straining his voice—a unique approach that proves footballers will try just about anything to get an edge.
Final Thoughts
From cutting-edge medical treatments like stem cell therapy to quirky habits like rubbing Vicks on their chests, footballers are willing to experiment with almost anything to improve performance. While some methods may seem extreme or even risky, they highlight the lengths to which elite athletes will go to stay ahead of the competition.
What do you think? Are these techniques genius, or just bizarre? Let us know in the comments!
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