Jermain Defoe, who scored the first goal for the Lithuanian national team, claims that his return to international football was largely due to the fact that he gave up meat and other animal-derived products.
It may seem a bit strange, but along with ice baths, this diet helps him recover and always feel full of energy.
The 34-year-old veteran was called up to the England national team after a three and a half year break, but this decision by coach Gareth Southgate has certainly paid off.
"The game is evolving in such a way that, considering the intensity of the matches, the demands on players are high. However, with the advancements of sports science, if you do everything right and take care of yourself, then you have a chance," - Defoe quotes The Guardian.
"The most important thing for me is recovery, giving me the best opportunity to perform well in the next match, and it seems I have been able to manage that. There are many things I do outside of training and during matches that help me perform better, so I will just continue to do that," said Defoe.
"Now I have a better understanding of my body. When I'm at the club, I know which days I need rest. Everyone knows that I do a lot of cryotherapy things. It is not pleasant, but the most important thing is to do it as if you were worshiping it. Everyone wants to feel fresh in a match - there is no better feeling - so I just try to do the necessary things: cryotherapy, massage, proper nutrition... I'm trying to become a vegan. It's a bit funny because when I visit my mom, she has so much meat on the table that you can imagine."
"I think I've succeeded in becoming a vegan. My girlfriend suggested trying it. Well, she told me "you have to do it" and constantly shows me documentaries about it. It's always great to have someone beside you who helps you, motivates you, and wants you to succeed. It's not difficult for me to give up something, because I know the feeling that scoring goals gives me. So, even though getting into an ice bath isn't pleasant, I just think: "You know what? I'm going to do it and be rewarded for it." It's hard, but on the other hand, it's easy, because all I want is to play well and score goals."
Defoe, who has already scored 14 times for Sunderland this season, also revealed that he hoped to return to the England national team even when representing Toronto FC in the MLS.
