Real Madrid and Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed what he believes to be an important part of maintaining his “level in football.”
Cristiano Ronaldo endured a disappointing summer with the Portugal national team at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward was competing at his sixth European Championship and 11th overall major tournament in his legendary Portugal career.
However, Ronaldo failed to find the back of the net at this summer’s Euros and was met with criticism over his lack of impact for Portugal.
The Manchester United legend managed only one assist at the tournament, which came in Portugal’s 3-0 win over Turkey in their second Group F clash.
Ronaldo’s hopes of lifting a second European Championship came to an end in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals after France beat Portugal on penalties.
The Al Nassr superstar confirmed that Euro 2024 would be his final European Championship, but Ronaldo ruled out retirement from international duty.
Ronaldo will be 41 years old by the time the 2026 World Cup begins, with the tournament set to be hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Ronaldo’s secret to his success
Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for the upcoming Saudi Pro League season with current side Al Nassr after Portugal’s Euro 2024 exit.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been with Al Nassr since his second departure from Manchester United in 2022.
Speaking to Whoop, Ronaldo opened up about his time off the field and how he continues to prepare for matches ahead of time.
The Portugal skipper admitted that he needs to be more “specific” with his workouts the older he becomes and the gym is a key part of his success.
“My favourite, I can tell you this one [leg extensions],” he said in the clip posted on Instagram.
“When you’re getting old, you have to be more specific [with your workouts], to do it smart. To maintain my level in football, [the] gym is [an important] part of my job.”
Ronaldo’s fitness regime rubs off on Man Utd star
Diogo Dalot has spoken highly of Ronaldo in the past and the impact that his former United teammate has had on him.
The 25-year-old Portugal international arguably had his best season at Old Trafford in the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.
Diogo Dalot made a whopping 50 appearances across all competitions and impressed with his consistent performances for the Red Devils.
Despite his successful campaign at Old Trafford, the United and Portugal star missed out on the club’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.
Dalot has admitted that he has followed in Ronaldo’s footsteps and altered his fitness regime and nutrition in a bid to keep performing at the top level.
“I had the life experience to work with someone [Ronaldo] who was completely obsessed about it,” he said.
“By being with him so much of the time, that passed on to me. Now it’s just something that’s just part of me.
“I think I created this routine where I have to take some time every single day to recover, to work on my mental part as well, my physical part. It’s all a routine now.
“It’s just trying to work on recovery, nutrition, all kinds of stuff that will make my body feel ready to play.
“Ultimately, our bodies are our tools; they’re what we use to play football. I try to recover as fast as we can when the games are coming really fast.”
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