Many who are not conversant with football could easily mistake Adama Traoré for a rugby player at first glance, owing to his extraordinary physique and massive muscular build.
The explosive winger’s sculpted frame has long set him apart on the pitch and now it has reportedly led to an unusual directive from his club.
Reports indicate that West Ham United have barred Traoré from engaging in weightlifting sessions at the club’s gym facilities. The decision, sources reveal, is aimed at managing the player’s already imposing muscle mass and ensuring that his physical development remains optimal for football performance rather than bulk enhancement.
Speaking on the matter, manager Nuno Espírito Santo explained that the winger’s physique is largely genetic and does not require further muscle-building routines.
“His genetics has been like this for some time now and he should avoid the gym. I’ve told him to stay out of the gym. It’s one of the things that I think he needs to realise. It’s enough weight that he carries. He’ll do prevention work (in the gym), but he’s not in there lifting weights,” Nuno stated.
The Portuguese tactician emphasized that while Traoré will continue essential injury-prevention and conditioning exercises, he will no longer participate in traditional weightlifting sessions that could add further bulk to his already powerful frame.
Traoré, widely recognized for his blistering pace, strength, and ability to outmuscle defenders, has built a reputation as one of the most physically dominant wingers in European football.
However, performance analysts suggest that excessive muscle mass can sometimes impact agility, endurance, and flexibility which are key attributes required for sustained top-level football.
The development underscores a growing trend in modern football where strength conditioning is carefully tailored to suit individual player physiology rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
For Traoré, whose natural build already commands attention, the focus now appears to be on balance, mobility and injury prevention rather than additional muscle gain.
As fans react to the unusual gym ban, one thing remains certain: whether mistaken for a rugby star or celebrated as a football powerhouse, Traoré’s remarkable physique continues to be a talking point both on and off the pitch just like his physical collision with Chelsea’s Cucurella during a match between both clubs recently.
