Footballer shares 'ultimate' pre-match meal ahead of England's semi-final clash

The moment we've been eagerly anticipating is nearly upon us – England are on the cusp of securing their place in the Euro 2024 finals.

A showdown against the Netherlands is set for later today after their tense 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Switzerland, a match that marked manager Gareth Southgate's 100th game at the helm.

But let's put the beautiful game itself aside for a moment – have you ever wondered what footballers eat before a big match? One professional player has unveiled the ultimate pre-match meal, packed with an impressive amount of protein.

Crawley Town midfielder Antony Papadopoulos took to TikTok to share his nutrient-dense recipe, which has since garnered thousands of likes. "Here's a quick and easy healthy breakfast for footballers to fuel up," he said, posting to his account @antonypaps_.

"Three eggs to hit your protein and other vital nutrients, some sourdough bread and Greek yoghurt, a handful of [blueberries] with some chia seeds and flax seeds. And done – as easy as that!"

Antony isn't the only one who believes this recipe can be a game-changer for your energy levels and overall health. Research indicates that eggs are a rich source of protein and several essential vitamins including D and B12.

Eggs are not only a breakfast favourite but they're also believed to rank highly on the satiety index too - a measure of how full different foods can make you feel, ranging from 'extremely hungry' to 'extremely satisfied'. Remarkably, scientists suggest that the high satisfaction rate from egg consumption could aid in weight loss, as it may reduce the urge to snack later on.

Despite their small size, flax seeds and chia seeds are also loaded with various important minerals, while blueberries are often dubbed as a 'superfood' for their high antioxidant volume and cholesterol-lowering properties.

As the Mirror previously reported, a TikTok dietician known as Courtney explained: "Sweet potatoes and gluten-free grain also have been shown to help with cholesterol levels as well as blueberries, spices like turmeric and ginger as well as green tea."

She also added: "Fibre is key to lowering cholesterol levels and leafy greens, one of the richest sources of fibre in the diet. [Aim] for three cups of leafy green per day."

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below