Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema all eat secret "superfood" to stay on top form

The diets of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema all share a "secret superfood" which has helped them perform at the highest level in their 30's.

The trio of Ballon d'Or winners are still doing the business despite not getting any younger and clearly continue to look after their bodies.

Nutrition is of huge importance in the modern era and it's emerged that Messi, Ronaldo and Benzema are all regular consumers of one food in particular.

According to MARCA, the term "superfoods" has become popular in dressing rooms across football and essentially means natural products which also have important nutrients.

And one which meets both criterias is seaweed, which has experienced a 7% increase in consumption in the United States in recent times as per Professor James E Griffin.

Seaweed is known for helping keep the ocean clean but also has seven times more protein than meat, fish and vegetables.

It also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, E, as well as potassium, iron, fibre and calcium so players are full of energy for matches and training sessions.

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Spirulina and Chlorella are both in seaweed, with the latter reportedly useful in slowing down ageing as well as getting rid of potentially harmful toxins at a rapid rate.

In addition, it accelerates metabolism and ultimately helps with losing weight and the huge plus is that there are barely any calories.

Spanish chef Alberto Mastromatteo, who has been a private chef to all three players, encourages people to eat seaweed because of the many health benefits.

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As per The Sun, he said: "They contain great nutritional value. Because with a small amount you get a lot of vegetable protein, which the body synthesizes even better than animal protein.

"I am a fervent believer in the extraordinary nutritional power of microalgae, incomparable sources of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids -and other healthy lipids-, vitamins, carotenoids, antioxidants, etc.

"That is why I usually include spirulina and chlorella in all my dishes."