Cristiano Ronaldo's fitness and nutritional program
Alonso Espeleta explains Cristiano Ronaldo's nutritional and fitness program.
These days, the top athletes are almost machine-like in their fitness. Long gone are the days when they would spend hours in bars and pubs after training, playing a game the following day, before going straight out to a club to celebrate a victory. These days, the true professionals monitor what they eat and drink to make sure everything they consume is good for them, helps increase performance levels, and decreases pesky body fat.
It is why top athletes can still perform to such high standards, even during the latter part of their careers. Look at Tom Brady, for example. At 44, he is the oldest player in the NFL by a long way, as everyone else is still in their 30s. He still performs at incredibly high standards, helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl in February.
Another similar case is LeBron James. You often have to stop to remember that he is coming up to 36, but he still plays such an essential part for the LA Lakers and played a crucial role in winning the NBA championship in 2020.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the prime candidate for healthy living and taking care of your body to prolong a career. Many assumed by now that he would be finished, unable to cope at the top level, and surplus to requirements.
His performances have sometimes dropped in the past few years, both at Juventus and now that he's back at Manchester United, but as we've seen in recent weeks, he can still score vital goals just when his team needs him most.
It would also prove extremely important for sports fans who enjoy placing a few bets on matches. They know that having Cristiano Ronaldo on the team they are betting on will always give them some advantage, as winning games will always be his first objective, which resonates well with sports bettors alike.
Because of his winning mentality and rigorous fitness program, that it is always worth checking at the odds for Ronaldo to win.
If you have ever wanted to know precisely the nutrition and fitness program Ronaldo carries out, read on to learn more.
No slacking off, even when you are one of the best in the world
The first thing to note about Ronaldo’s fitness program is that he is unique in his dedication and desire to be the best soccer. It is highly doubtful that any player, in their generation or previous ones, put much effort into staying on top. In his eyes, he wants to keep playing into his 40s and beyond, and at the rate he is going, he might do it.
He has an imposing injury record, rarely suffering anything significant that keeps him out for more than a few weeks due to his fitness regime. He will be training with the Manchester United first team between 4 and 5 times weekly. Then, he will also be involved in at least one game a week, if not two, if it is a Champions League game week. He hates starting on the bench and gets very angry if he is substituted off, so he usually plays the full 90 minutes.
In addition to the team training and matches, he spends plenty of time in the gym, doing his separate exercises. These usually involve a mix of high-intensity cardio and weight lifting, which helps explain his high stamina levels and incredibly muscular physique.
He often spends between 3 and 4 hours working out each day. His former teammate at Juventus, Medhi Benatia, has said that he received a text from Cristiano at 11 p.m. one night asking if he wanted to go to the gym. He is still looking to work his body even late at night, as he knows none of his rivals will be putting in the late-night gym sessions.
Coca-Cola? No chance
Who can forget, at a Euro 2020 press conference, when he moved a bottle of Coca-Cola placed in front of him, encouraging people to drink water instead? Due to their high sugar content, he won't consume any fizzy drinks, and alcohol is also off-limits. Water is the only thing he will drink.
Regarding diet, he has talked about regularly eating, as it helps keep energy levels at their highest. He consumed many foods high in protein but without any/minimal fat, such as tuna and swordfish, chicken and steak, then olives, low-fat yoghurt, fresh fruit and plenty of salads.
It doesn't sound like a delightful lifestyle. However, it works for Ronaldo, who will outlive us all if he keeps up this fitness and nutrition program, even after he stops playing.
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- ESPELETA, A. (2021) Cristiano Ronaldo's fitness and nutritional program [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article671.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Alonso Espeleta is a freelance journalist.