From Quitting Smoking to Football Banter: Candid G7 Moments Reveal Leaders’ Lighter Side, Meloni-Modi Exchange Goes Viral

While the Group of Seven (G7) summit was dominated by high-stakes discussions on global trade, geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts, several candid exchanges caught on microphone offered a refreshing glimpse into the lighter and more personal side of world leaders.

Away from formal negotiations and policy debates, leaders were seen sharing jokes, discussing personal milestones and indulging in friendly banter, moments that quickly attracted attention on social media and highlighted the human side of international diplomacy.

One of the most talked-about conversations centred on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s recent decision to quit smoking.

During a coffee break, Meloni remarked with a smile that she had already consumed three cups of coffee.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen jokingly asked whether the caffeine was necessary to help her wake up, prompting laughter among those gathered.

The conversation then took another turn when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz playfully asked Meloni whether she had accompanied her coffee with a cigarette. Meloni responded firmly that she had quit smoking.

Curious about her achievement, fellow leaders asked how long it had been since she gave up the habit.

Meloni revealed that she had stopped smoking one month ago. Von der Leyen immediately congratulated her, calling it a positive step.

The discussion then shifted to European Council President António Costa’s own experience with quitting smoking.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer asked him when he had given up cigarettes. Costa replied that he had quit in 2005 and had never returned to smoking since then.

Starmer appeared impressed and sought confirmation, asking whether he had never relapsed. Costa answered with pride that he had remained smoke-free for over two decades.

Meloni further shared that she had not smoked since May 1. Her announcement drew another round of congratulations from the leaders gathered around her.

Clearly pleased with her accomplishment, she celebrated by raising both hands in the air.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney then added another humorous moment by asking whether she was using a nicotine patch and playfully pointing toward his arm, drawing more laughter from the group.

Football, another universal icebreaker, also featured prominently in the summit’s informal conversations.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, the upcoming tournament naturally found its way into the leaders’ discussions.

During a lunch gathering, French President Emmanuel Macron and several other leaders spoke enthusiastically about football.

At one point, someone could be heard enthusiastically shouting “Allez les Bleus,” a rallying cry for the French national team, while another referred to Paris Saint-Germain’s recent UEFA Champions League triumph.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also joined the football conversation by highlighting Cape Verde’s impressive goalless draw against reigning world champions Spain, describing the result as “quite remarkable.”

However, one of the summit’s most widely shared moments involved Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni.

In a video that quickly went viral across social media platforms, PM Modi appeared to refer to their popularity on social media. Responding with a smile and characteristic humour, Meloni quipped, “Yes, we are the most famous couple on Instagram.”

The light-hearted exchange immediately triggered a wave of reactions online, adding yet another chapter to the internet’s fascination with the friendly rapport between the two leaders.

The candid moments from the G7 summit served as a reminder that even amid intense discussions on war, trade and global crises, world leaders occasionally step away from diplomacy to share laughter, personal experiences and conversations that resonate far beyond conference rooms and official communiqués.