Chris Smalling credits nearly a decade of veganism for football success
Fresh from his move to FC Porto, former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling reveals he has been vegan for nearly ten years in an intro video. The former Manchester United and England defender shared the revelation in an introduction video for his new club, FC Porto, following his recent transfer to the Portuguese side.
Listing three lesser-known facts about himself for his new supporters, the 34-year-old shared his dietary choices alongside his youth judo success and his late entry into professional sport. Smalling initially transitioned away from red meat before adopting a fully plant-based diet to enhance his athletic performance and recovery.
However, his motivation quickly evolved beyond physical fitness, with animal rights becoming the primary driving force behind his long-term commitment. Why did Chris Smalling go vegan?
Smalling initially adopted a plant-based diet to address persistent physical issues, including tendonitis. "Ultimately, it was the animal welfare that kicked me on to make sure this is my lifestyle now," Smalling explained in a 2019 interview with animal rights organisation PETA.
The defender credited the switch with reducing inflammation and extending his playing career at the highest level, having already enjoyed successful spells in the Premier League and Italy's Serie A before moving to Portugal. Thevegan footballerhas regularly used his platform to advocate for animal rights.
Alongside his health-focused messaging, he appeared in a PETA campaign with his dogs, Ruben and Miley, to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving pets in hot parked cars. Plant-based footballers Smalling is part of a growing movement of professional athletes proving that peak physical performance does not require animal products.
Historical pioneers such as Neil Robinson paved the way by adopting meat-free diets in the 1970s, proving that elite endurance and strength can be sustained without meat. Today, a host of top-tier players continue to champion the lifestyle.
Real Betis defender Héctor Bellerín has frequently praised the health and environmental benefits of his vegan diet, whilst Union SG defender Christian Burgess has maintained a plant-based lifestyle for more than seven years to reduce his carbon footprint and tackle the climate crisis. Be inspired by more elitevegan athletes Vegan Food & Living may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only ever share brands that we love and trust.
She keeps the site up to date by covering the latest news and product launches, curating delicious recipes, and sharing our expert-led health and lifestyle articles. When she's not creating content, Helen enjoys swimming, baking vegan treats, and tackling the trickiest jigsaw puzzles she can find.