Cristiano Ronaldo is a renowned Portuguese footballer and one of the world’s most admirable football icons. At an age of only 28, he turned out to be a hero and an emulator for many youth globally. His transfer to Real Madrid from Manchester United made him the most expensive footballer worldwide. His impressive looks characterized by a 6-pack ab, muscular but lean body and 84 kg frame reinforce his fame and attraction to potential admirers. However, he attributes these characteristics to his comprehensive dietary and workout routine as described below.
It's been a pretty good year for Cristiano Ronaldo. His Portugal team didn't win the World Cup, but Ronaldo was named the winner of the Ballon d'Or as the world's best soccer player for the second straight year, topping Argentina forward Lionel Messi and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. And let's not forget that he graced the cover of Men's Health magazine, in the United States and around the world.
What makes him the game's greatest player and a strong candidate for the world's fittest man? Here are 5 keys:
STAMINA
Ronaldo runs more than 6 miles per game. This stamina is one reason his body fat is in the low single digits. Elite-level games are often decided in the final 20 minutes, the window when Ronaldo scored more than a quarter of his goals last season.
SPEED
In a typical game, Ronaldo sprints 33 times at a top speed of about 21 miles an hour. His explosive acceleration and high soccer IQ enable him to time diagonal runs that outsmart the offside trap. He also has great balance and body control, and can change direction quickly—so when dribbling, he's the ultimate ankle breaker.
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STRENGTH
Elite soccer players can be expected to squat 440 pounds, Norwegian researchers found. Strong quads are critical for an attacker, who needs to jump to head the ball on goal. A British documentary measured Ronaldo's jump off both feet at 31 inches—NBA-worthy hops. That means he can head the ball when it's 8 1/2 feet high.
POWER
Ronaldo can kick explosively, powering the ball at a ferocious 80 miles an hour. Superior technique enables him to wrap the side of his foot around the ball when taking free kicks, making the ball spin so much that it has a variable trajectory of up to 9 feet—leaving the opposing team's goalkeeper helpless.
X FACTOR
Ronaldo is able to process the game faster than other players, says Zoe Wimshurst, Ph.D., director of Performance Vision. Elite athletes develop faster eye movement, looking at up to seven places per second versus the average person's max of five. When he's dribbling at a defender, he watches for movement clues while assessing thousands of permutations drawn from hours of play—and he does this unconsciously.
Cristiano has publicly said that he is not a heavy drinker like most of his fellow footballers. While others go out to towns for drinks and enjoyment, Cristiano takes a long rest with his family. He also loves to swim, which he mostly does during his free times. He spends a good time with his family, which reduces chances of stress. As such, Cristiano leads stress-free life; this is why he is able to perform as an excellent player.
