"What Is This Green Drink That's Not Green Tea?"... Argentina's "National Drink" That Has Captivated Haaland and Messi

498 kg of Mate Leaves Shipped in for the Qatar World Cup
In Argentina, a Symbol of "Friendship and Sharing"

“Monster striker” Erling Haaland has once again drawn attention to mate, a traditional South American drink, after recently posting a photo on social media of himself drinking the green beverage. The drink is well known as a favorite of South American soccer stars, including Lionel Messi.

A photo uploaded to Instagram by soccer player Erling Haaland. He is holding mate tea in his left hand. Screenshot from Haaland's Instagram.

On October 19 (Korea time), Haaland posted a photo of himself drinking mate on social media and thanked his Argentine teammates, saying, “Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful drink.” The sports outlet The Athletic also reported that Haaland had recently become fascinated with mate, a traditional South American beverage.

Mate is a tea made by drying the leaves of yerba mate, a holly-family plant native to South America, and steeping them in hot water. Usually, the leaves are placed in a small, gourd-shaped cup made for mate. Water heated to 70 to 80 degrees Celsius is poured over them, and the drink is sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla, which filters out the leaves.

Its flavor is bitter, like strong green tea, with pronounced grassy and earthy notes. More water can be poured over the leaves several times, and traditionally, several people take turns drinking from the same cup. Mate also contains caffeine and antioxidants such as polyphenols. It helps the body use carbohydrates more efficiently, which can improve athletic performance, including endurance.

“The Champions’ Drink,” Also Enjoyed by Messi

Soccer stars have played a major role in bringing mate to global attention, alongside its distinctive way of being consumed. South American players have often been spotted carrying mate cups and thermoses while traveling for away games or in locker rooms, naturally drawing greater public interest.

Lionel Messi (left), and a mate cup from Stanley's collaboration with Messi (right). Stanley 1913

One of mate’s most prominent fans is Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi. He has been seen enjoying mate on the way to games and before and after matches on several occasions. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, in particular, Argentina’s national team brought 1,100 pounds, or about 498 kilograms, of yerba mate to the country. Uruguay’s team reportedly prepared about 240 kilograms, while Brazil’s team brought about 12 kilograms.

The New York Times (NYT) reported that the amount was intended for Argentina’s players, coaching staff, trainers, and others to share throughout the tournament. Messi and his teammates drank mate on the bus on the way to the stadium and after matches. After Argentina won the World Cup, Messi posted a photo of himself lying in bed with the trophy and a mate cup beside him, helping the drink earn the image of “the champions’ drink.”

“It’s Like Water to Us”... A Symbol of Friendship and Sharing

In Argentina, mate means more than a drink enjoyed by famous athletes. It is a “national drink” consumed in everyday life and a cultural tradition that brings people together. Sebastian Driussi, a soccer player who previously played for Argentina’s youth national team, told the NYT, “It’s like water to us,” adding, “Everyone always drank mate in the locker room.” He went on to explain, “Drinking mate in Argentina is a way of building friendships.”

In Argentina, family and friends gather in a circle and take turns drinking from the same mate cup, a tradition known as a “ronda de mate” that fosters connection and intimacy. Viator

The origins of mate can be traced to the culture of the Guarani, an Indigenous people of South America. The practice of continually refilling a single cup with tea leaves and warm water and passing it around for people to take turns drinking has long symbolized community bonds and sharing. Mate consumption in Argentina is also substantial. In 2021, about 282.8 million kilograms of yerba mate were consumed in the country.

The NYT noted that “mate could be an alternative to energy drinks for athletes,” explaining that “for players who face long trips and frequent travel, preparing and sharing mate has become a routine and a way to strengthen their bonds with teammates.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.