ADAMA TRAORE has lifted the lid on his impressive body transformation – and it doesn’t involve lifting crazy weights.
The Wolves star, 26, has developed from a scrawny teen into one of the most fearsome wingers in the Premier League.
And he has revealed the diet and exercise regime that got him there while on international duty with Spain.
In July 2020, Traore claimed he does NOT lift weights despite his muscular frame.
And he doubled down on that claim in an interview with AS after winning his first Spain cap.
He said: “My gym work is guided by the personal trainer who takes me.
“But I don’t do weights. My genetics are like that and it makes my muscles grow very fast.
“I do other exercises. Each person has to adapt what suits him best.
“I do a lot of core. The secret is to know your body and adapt the training to your physical condition.”
Traore also revealed diet is key in his development.
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He added: “I have gained in muscles with training, rest and food. Food is essential and I consider it a very important part of training.
“Water – although I don’t drink much in matches – is vital. Maintaining the water level in the body is essential for an athlete.
“I try to vary the amount of dishes and have a varied, healthy and balanced diet.
“I can eat a little paella as well as a typical Malian dish with peanut sauce and brown rice.
“Everything is done by my mother, who is the best cook in the world. Then, like all athletes, I also throw in a lot of Italian pasta.”
Traore – who oils up his arms to stop opponents holding on to him – also explained his gym work is designed around injury prevention.
He said: “It is a balance of everything. My physical change, evolution, has also been out of necessity.
“When I was 15, I had knee problems with tendinitis that did not let me play my game or explode with my speed.
“Then I began to strengthen in the gym. I was very explosive and needed to do more specific work to avoid injuries.
“I do exercises not only to empower, but also to prevent injuries, which is what any athlete fears the most.”
The Barcelona academy product was born in Spain but was approached to play for Mali, where his parents are from.
However, Traore was only ever going to play for Spain having turned out for La Roja at various youth levels.
He said: “The call from Mali is because of my African origins and I appreciate that they remembered me.
“But I feel Spanish because I was born in Hospitalet and I have always played with the lower categories of Spain.
“I cannot deny my African origin, but I feel Spanish and I am proud to have debuted and to have done my bit.”
The winger, who returned to Barca last season on loan, also flexed his muscles against kids in a car park.
Traore engaged in a friendly foot race before taking photos.
