THE secret recipe to success for Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema? Regularly eating seaweed.

Despite being deep into their 30s, the global superstars are still thriving at the highest levels of the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo is still banging the goals aged 38Credit: AFP

Lionel Messi, 35, is currently flying high with Paris Saint-GermainCredit: REX

And Karim Benzema is enjoying the best years of his career at 35Credit: Reuters

The trio’s success is reportedly down to them regularly eating seaweedCredit: GETTY

The free-scoring trio, somehow, are arguably in better condition than when they were in their 20s.

And their success on and off the pitch is reportedly down to them making seaweed a staple of their “super strict” and highly nutritious diets.

That’s according to Spanish newspapers Marca and Mundo Deportivo, who claim the trio are regular eaters of the superfood.

Seaweed is packed with Spirulina, which has a 70 per cent protein count and is rich in Vitamins (A, B1, B2, C, D, E and K).

It also contains Chlorella, which has a 60 per cent protein count that “helps slow down ageing and much more.”

It also reportedly “accelerates metabolism and eliminates toxins from the body” at a quicker rate than it would otherwise.

Alberto Mastromatteo, a private chef to the stars in Spain, is a big advocate of seaweed consumption.

He said of Spirulina and Chlorella: “They contain great nutritional value.

“Because with a small amount you get a lot of vegetable protein, which the body synthesizes even better than animal protein.

“I am a fervent believer in the extraordinary nutritional power of microalgae, incomparable sources of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids -and other healthy lipids-, vitamins, carotenoids, antioxidants, etc.

“That is why I usually include spirulina and chlorella in all my dishes.”

Ronaldo, Messi and Benzema’s consumption of seaweed is clearly having the desired effect as they are still smashing it at their respective clubs.

Ronaldo has scored 13 times in 17 games for Al Nassr in Saudi’s Pro League.

Meanwhile, Messi has 20 goals in all competitions this season, although he is expected to leave Paris at the end of the current campaign.

Real Madrid hitman Benzema was the most prolific of the trio – scoring an incredible 44 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos last season. This year, he has 29 games in all competitions.

So maybe there is something to having a side of seaweed with each meal.