Cristiano Ronaldo is generating a lot of excitement due to his return to Manchester but his transfer has also raised a few eyebrows.
Billboards have been erected around the city to welcome Ronaldo back, but not everyone believes it is the right move for United.
Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford in 2004 as a skinny youngster but left as a physical specimen
CR7 also defied gravity in 2019 by leaping 8ft 5ins off the ground to head home against Sampdoria Credit: AFP or licensors
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has raised questions about Ronaldo due to his age, doubting he still has the capability to perform to a world-class level.
Merson said: “I would say he’s at 50 per cent (compared to how Ronaldo was aged 26/27).
“His numbers, don’t get me wrong, are still phenomenal. With him being the top scorer again last season in Italy, everywhere he’s been he has done it.
“He’s 36 years of age. If he does it this season in the Premier League then you would have to stand up and say that he is near on not human.”
If there is any player with super-human ability it is Ronaldo, and the Portuguese has claimed in the past that he has a ‘biological age of 23’ – and wants to continue playing into his 40s.
The powerfully-built 6ft 2in forward remains one of the most physically dominant players in the world – still lightning quick, one of the strongest around and is able to leap to incredible heights.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, says he has the body of someone 10 years younger – and wants to continue playing until he’s 41
Through exercise, diet and rest Ronaldo has become one of the most physically dominant athletes in the world
The Juventus superstar is still lightning quick and as strong as an ox
Its a far cry from the skinny teenager he once was, pictured here with Portugal U21s in 2003Credit: AFP
In 2018, Ronaldo said: “Right now I have a biological age of 23.
“I’ve still got a long time left, I can keep playing until I’m 41.
“I’m feeling good, happy, I can’t complain.”
But how does he do it?
Ronaldo does not have some super-secret formula and his incredible body is built on just a few key themes.
Dedication to the gym is obviously key, but Ronaldo follows a Pilates-based routine that focuses on resistance work to strengthen his core.
Rest is also a massive part of his routine, as is his strict diet.
Post-match exercise has also become a huge part of his regime.
While other players like to sit at home in front of the TV after a match, Ronaldo heads straight to the pool.
He swims lengths, often alongside Cristiano Jr, which not only helps him unwind from the physical toll of a match, but also helps him build his huge physique.
Swimming is a brilliant full-body workout, exercising all of his arms, core and leg muscles.
Swimming is a key part of Ronaldo’s regime – he goes for a post match swim after every gameCredit: Instagram, @cristiano
Ronaldo’s exercise regime doesn’t just rely on explosive muscle work, but is Pilates based – here he uses a Reformer to work out
Ronaldo will look to prove the doubters wrong in his return to Old Trafford
Alongside his gym, Ronaldo has a secret weapon for muscle regeneration – a Cryotherapy chamber.
The £50,000 walk-in piece of kit works miracles on the body, with Ronaldo having one installed in 2013 after hearing it had worked well for Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.
Standing in the chamber for around three minutes, liquid nitrogen freezes Ronaldo to between minus 160 and minus 200 degrees Celsius.
Cryotherapy beats muscle soreness and reduces swelling, inflammation or sprains – allowing Ronaldo to be ready for the next match or training session sooner.
Ronaldo also has hot and cold baths to stimulate muscle regeneration, while jets massage his muscles as he sits in the bath.
Rest and regeneration have become as important to Ronaldo as working out.
Ronaldo was once moved to deny he did 3,000 sit-ups in a day – claiming he barely did 1,000 “in one week”.
Ronaldo uses straps, pulleys and resistance work to improve his core strength Credit: Instagram @cristiano
Sleep is also a vital part of his regime, with the star insisting on eight hours a night Credit: Instagram @cristiano
That much work would only serve to injure and exhaust his muscles.
Sleep and relaxation is another key part of his routine, with the Portuguese sticking to at least eight hours of kip a night.
Family time, whether enjoying life with his children and Georgina Rodriguez or his mother, brother and sisters, is huge to the forward.
He explained: “Mental strength is just as important as physical strength.
“Training and physical sessions are most important, but living a relaxed lifestyle helps you to be the best you can be, physically and mentally.
“I spend my free time with family and friends, which keeps me relaxed and in a positive mindset.
“Proper sleep is really important for getting the most out of training.
“I go to bed early and get up early, especially before matches. Sleep helps muscles recover which is really important.”
Explosive muscle work is part of his routine, but the real secret to his amazing body is Pilates and home workouts.
He said: “Fit in exercise wherever you can.
“You can do an abs workout in your bedroom when you wake up in the morning or before you go to bed.
“If you get into a routine then it makes it easier as it will become a habit.”
Ronaldo decided to dedicate himself to developing his body when he was just 11Credit: Instagram @cristiano
Rest and relaxation with his family is also key to Ronaldos recovery
Diet plays a massive part in Ronaldo’s supreme athleticism Credit: Instagram, @cristiano
The Juventus star eats plenty of fish and eggs and salad, avoiding sugary foods and processed meats Credit: Instagram
Ronaldo was a famously skinny teenager who has completely transformed his body over the course of his professional career.
The change came when he heard comments from coaches when he was only 11.
“I remember the first time I heard one of the kids say to another kid, ‘Did you see what he did? This guy is a beast’,” said Ronaldo.
“I started hearing it all the time.
“Even from the coaches. But then somebody would always say, ‘Yeah but it’s a shame he’s so small.’
“It’s true, I was skinny. I had no muscle. So I made a decision at 11.
“I knew I had a lot of talent, but I decided that I was going to work harder than everybody.
“I started sneaking out of the dormitory at night to go work out. I got bigger and faster.
“I would walk onto the field, and the people who used to whisper, ‘Yeah, but he’s so skinny,’ now they would be looking at me like it was the end of the world.”
Ronaldo has transformed his body during his professional career Credit: Getty Images – Getty
His dedication to his craft has seen Ronaldo become one of the best players ever Credit: AP:Associated Press
Ronaldo’s work would be wasted if he didn’t follow the right diet.
The Portuguese is not a vegetarian or plant-based, but does limit his meat intake because of the higher fat intake.
Fish is a key part of his diet with Lisbon speciality Bacalao a la Brasa – a mixture of braised cod, onions, thinly sliced potatoes and scrambled eggs – one of his faves.
He has also labelled chicken “magical” due to its high protein and low fat content.
Ronaldo has said: “I eat a high protein diet, with lots of wholegrain carbs, fruit and vegetables, and avoid sugary food.
“Eat regularly. If you train regularly it’s important to keep energy levels high to fuel your body for better performance.
“I sometimes eat up to six smaller meals a day to make sure I have enough energy to perform each session at top level.”
Portuguese national team chef Luis Lavrador revealed: “Ronaldo eats all sorts of dishes, as the responsible athlete he is, but the one he likes the most is fish like gilt-head bream, swordfish and sea bass.”
His Instagram account offers more clues with lean meats and green salad often seen, while heavy carbs like potatoes and pasta saved for game days.
Ronaldo has been teetotal since at least 2005 – not only because of the adverse affects on his diet, but also because his father died an alcoholism-related death when he was 20.
Ronaldo, who loves fish and lean meat, is teetotal Credit: Instagram, @cristiano
Ronaldo also takes his mental health seriously with much of his free time spent with his family Credit: Instagram, @cristiano
His mother, Dolores Aveiro, is a key part of the Ronaldo team.
She often spends time at his house, cooking meals and ensuring they fit his strict dietary needs.
Whatever she’s doing, it clearly works. It’s hard to argue with Ronaldo when he says he’ll play till 40 when he is still such a prolific goalscorer.
