Lionel Messi can confidently claim to be one of the most accomplished players in history.
But for all his achievements, there remains one strange mystery.
Why is he sick on the pitch so often?
Minutes before he came off the bench to score against Deportivo on last season, Messi was videoed retching, gagging and spitting.
It’s hard to say whether the great No10 actually did eject his breakfast or whether it was a simple case of the pre-chunder spits which he managed to wrestle back down.
We’ve all been there after a shot of tequila.
What is clear is that he certainly wasn’t comfortable.
Not that it hindered his performance on return from injury.
This incident was the latest in a long line of mildly repulsive episodes that have punctuated Messi’s career.
Many of you will remember him opting for a quick tactical chunder during the 2014 World Cup final.
And then there was his last return from injury.
A few days after Messi was rushed back for El Clasico, Barcelona met Roma in the Champions League.
Again Messi was caught hunched over and retching before collecting a pill from the sidelines.
The 2011 Spanish Super Cup second leg against Real Madrid is another notable example of a game drenched in Messi DNA.
But you’ll probably remember it because of this goal…
Former Argentina head coach, Alejandro Sabella, said he thought Messi’s vomiting was caused by nerves and anxiety.
But in Spain they believe it’s due to a medical condition known as chronic sinustis — an affliction that causes inflamed sinuses and mucus build-up which leads to vomiting, especially when exercising.
This certainly seems more likely given that Messi’s performances in many of these games indicate a supremely confident athlete, rather than one crippled with nerves.
So for any Sunday League players out there that frequently chuck up their 3am kebab during a game, don’t worry, even the great Lionel Messi does it as well.
Just without the kebab.
REMEMBER WHEN JAMES WILSON WAS SICK ON THE PITCH ON NEW YEAR’S DAY?
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