Flaco López adds 10kg as Palmeiras diet and science fuel career-best season | OneFootball

Flaco López has added 10kg across muscle, bone density and about 3kg of water adaptation, helping him sustain output beyond 90 minutes after Palmeiras overhauled his diet and performance work.

According to Globo.com, the forward arrived in June 2022 at 74kg with low iron and, then nicknamed Flaquito, struggled to build muscle as he burned through his intake. Staff set a plan of two lunches and two dinners plus nearly a litre of fortified smoothie with granola, oats, nuts and blended liver to lift calories and iron.

The metabolic adaptation alone took 18 months, turning three meals into five with rice, beans, meats, salads and potato variations. Structural change started in 2024 and, over the last two years, the power gains have finally translated to the pitch.

From age 21 he was tracked for body composition using DXA scans, and for power via jumps, accelerations and squats in strength sessions. Staff believed his stature could add modern demands to his playmaking profile.

Now 25, López is enjoying the best season of his career, with 21 goals and nine assists in 51 games, 13 fewer than he needed in 2025 to reach the same totals. His form delivered an Argentina call-up, a first World Cup, and selection for the September international window.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”