The 2026 FIFA World Cup may be delivering drama on the pitch, but a viral cooking challenge is giving fans another reason to talk about football's biggest names. American celebrity chef and content creator Nick DiGiovanni has recreated the favourite meals of leading football stars in a YouTube video that has crossed 10 million views within a day. From Cristiano Ronaldo's traditional Portuguese salt cod to Sunil Chhetri's chole bhature and Erling Haaland's tomahawk steak, the video offers a glimpse into the dishes the players enjoy away from the game.

Titled 'I Cooked For EVERY World Cup Star', the video by DiGiovanni, one of the world's most-followed food creators with 42.7 million YouTube subscribers, recreates meals chosen by leading footballers before ranking them after tasting each dish. The video has also attracted attention on social media, with YouTube sharing Erling Haaland's segment on its official Instagram account.

Favourite meals reflect home, family and tradition

The menu spans cuisines from across the world, with each player selecting a dish linked to personal taste or cultural background.

Norway striker Erling Haaland opts for a medium-rare tomahawk steak served with Béarnaise sauce and potatoes, while England captain Harry Kane chooses a crispy chicken burger on a brioche bun topped with cheese, coleslaw and spicy mayonnaise.

Former England captain David Beckham, who says he has "always loved honey", inspires a sticky toffee pudding made with honey instead of sugar.

India's football icon Sunil Chhetri selects chole bhature, featuring spiced chickpeas with deep-fried bread, served alongside pickle and sliced onions. The dish stands out as one of the few South Asian recipes featured in the challenge.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo goes with Bacalhau à Brás, a traditional Portuguese preparation made with salt cod, scrambled eggs and finely cut potatoes.

French great Thierry Henry takes a different approach by offering three Caribbean favourites: Dumbré, Colombo de Porc, and Lambi, a conch stew served with rice.

More than a cooking challenge

Alongside preparing the meals, DiGiovanni shares lesser-known facts about the players. The video touches on Harry Kane's childhood rejection by Arsenal and David Beckham's interest in beekeeping, while also highlighting the cultural backgrounds reflected in the food choices of players such as Sunil Chhetri and Ousmane Dembélé.

After cooking every recipe, the chef evaluates each dish and places it into a tier-based ranking. Rather than focusing only on cooking, the video combines football, personal stories and food from different parts of the world, giving viewers a look at the meals associated with some of the sport's biggest names.