Max Verstappen, Luke Littler, and Erling Haaland may come from vastly different sports, but one thing unites them—an unexpected love for a particular guilty pleasure: kebabs. While the three athletes are top performers in Formula 1, darts, and football respectively, their shared fondness for this popular treat reveals a more human side to their otherwise high-performance, demanding careers. Whether it’s battling the urge to indulge or confessing their love for the flavorful meal, these sporting giants show that sometimes, all it takes to bridge the gap between different worlds is a good kebab.
For Max Verstappen, the reigning three-time Formula 1 world champion, the allure of a kebab is particularly tough to resist. With an intense focus on maintaining peak physical condition and managing his weight throughout the F1 season, Verstappen often finds himself craving his favorite food but unable to fully enjoy it due to the strict demands of his sport. In Formula 1, every gram of weight matters. Drivers, including Verstappen, must adhere to strict fitness and nutrition plans to ensure they are in the best possible shape, as even the slightest weight fluctuation can affect a car’s performance on the track.
This was humorously highlighted in Viaplay’s documentary *Off the Beaten Track*, where Verstappen was filmed during his journey to his home Grand Prix in the Netherlands in 2023. While traveling in a car with his team, Verstappen made a candid admission about his cravings. “You know what I would like right now? A kebab,” he confessed. “That would be so good. Turkish kebab, so good. I love it.” His tone was one of longing, a reminder that despite his discipline as a top-level athlete, Verstappen is, at heart, a man who loves simple pleasures. The F1 star went on to reveal just how deep his love for the food runs: “If you would tell me, ‘You’re on an island, you have your last meal. What would it be?’ A kebab would definitely be included.”
For Verstappen, balancing the physical demands of racing with his personal cravings for indulgent foods is a relatable struggle. Despite the immense pressure he faces on the track, where even milliseconds can make the difference between victory and defeat, Verstappen’s candid kebab confession shows that no matter how far he goes in his sport, he remains grounded by simple desires.
The world of professional darts may seem a far cry from the high-octane world of Formula 1, but Luke Littler, a teenage darts sensation, shares Verstappen’s love for kebabs. Littler is making waves as one of the youngest stars in darts, where precision and mental focus are key to success. At just 16 years old, Littler is already competing at the top level, with the world of darts keeping a close eye on his promising career.
Despite the differences in the physical demands of darts compared to F1 or football, Littler, too, has expressed his fondness for a good kebab. The connection between these athletes and their love for the dish highlights a commonality that transcends their respective sports. Whether it’s winding down after a match or tournament, a hearty kebab seems to hit the spot for Littler, much like it does for Verstappen.
Joining this trio of kebab enthusiasts is none other than Erling Haaland, the football phenomenon and Manchester City’s goal-scoring machine. Known for his powerful strikes, towering presence, and almost unstoppable scoring abilities, Haaland is a force to be reckoned with on the football pitch. His meticulous training regimen and focus on nutrition are crucial to his success, but even he isn’t immune to the allure of a delicious kebab.
For Haaland, the towering Norwegian striker who has taken the football world by storm, food plays a critical role in his ability to perform. He is known for his strict diet and emphasis on maintaining peak physical condition, often following a protein-rich, carb-controlled eating plan. But Haaland has made no secret of his fondness for kebabs, confessing that the popular meal is a cheat-day favorite for him. Even with the demands of his football career, Haaland occasionally allows himself the treat as part of a balanced approach to diet and enjoyment.
The idea of Verstappen, Littler, and Haaland walking into a kebab shop might seem like the start of a joke, but it reflects a universal truth—no matter how elite the athletes, they all share human desires. Their mutual love for kebabs serves as a reminder that, beneath the accolades and records, they are still young men who enjoy the same simple pleasures as anyone else.
While their sports require an immense level of discipline, focus, and physical endurance, these athletes’ kebab cravings remind us that even the best in the world sometimes need to indulge. Whether it’s Verstappen navigating the grueling F1 calendar, Littler aiming for perfection on the darts board, or Haaland leading Manchester City to victory, a kebab offers a moment of comfort in their demanding lives.
As they continue to dominate their respective sports, perhaps there’s a chance that one day these three athletes will find themselves in the same kebab shop, bonding over their shared love for this simple yet satisfying treat. After all, even the greatest athletes deserve to enjoy life’s indulgences every now and then.