What was Lionel Messi's glucose tablet for?
The player ate one during the game against Olympiakos
Messi took the tablet out of his sock to eat in the middle of the match
Lionel Messi wasn't just the protagonist in Barcelona's 3-1 win over Olympiakos for his sporting achievements and 100th European goal, but also for the glucose tablet he ate in the middle of the game. The image has gone viral.
Why did Messi eat the tablet? Glucose tablets are used in the world of sport for athletes who are in intense competition. After making a physical effort, muscular glycogen reserves are eaten into as a source of energy, but these are limited and sometimes, under medical advice, they can be replenished by the eating of glucose tablets.
For example, the pill Messi ate would give rapid energy to his muscles. The usual time to take the tablet is after 15 minutes of exercise. However there is a divide in opinion over when is best tot ake the tablet. For some experts it's better to take it after the warm-up and before the exercise.
According to Ricard Torquemada from Catalunya Radio, it was Barcelona's medics who decided the dose was needed for this game - it isn't something Messi does on a regular basis.
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