- The 39-year-old has made more than 1,000 club appearances in his professional career
- Ronaldo enjoyed a short getaway with his family ahead of international matches
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Fans have expressed surprise at the sight of Cristiano Ronaldo’s feet after the five-time Ballon d’Or star showed off his announced recovery regime.
The 39-year-old scored the only goal for Al-Nassr in their match against Al-Ahli on Friday, his 50th goal since joining the club in 2023.
After more than two decades at the top, the Portuguese’s unparalleled fitness and rehabilitation routine is well documented.
But as many fans discovered, his glittering career came at a price. Namely the state of his feet that have brought him so much success.
Ronaldo posted a photo of himself in Erakulis trousers, designed to speed recovery after matches, at the £700-a-night St Regis in Saudi Arabia. The image captured his tired, beaten down and swollen feet, which have caused quite a stir.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave fans a glimpse into his recovery regime, but they noticed something very different
Ronaldo enjoyed a short break with his family at the lavish St Regis resort in Saudi Arabia
Fans couldn’t help but notice the condition of the striker’s feet as he recovered in Saudi Arabia
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’22 years professional footballer, look at his feet. He definitely wakes up in crazy pain every day,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another wrote: ‘Look at his feet man, imagine the pain every day’
“This is worse than Lebron (James). Wow, I heard he wore super tight boots too.” A third said it, referencing the iconic image of the NBA legend.
While a fourth joked: ‘His big toes are screaming for help.’
Other commentators commented on the sacrifice required to perform at an elite level for such a long period of time.
“This is the price you pay for being the best player in the world,” said one fan.
Another added: “This is one of the silent battles players have to endure, imagine the pain.”
‘We don’t get to see the price that footballers pay.’ Wrote a third. A fourth added: ‘Damn this is one of the highest prices these footballers pay to be the best in the world again isn’t it.’
It is indeed true that Ronaldo has done a lot of work on his body during his time as a professional.
Friday’s Saudi Pro League match took his number of appearances at club level to a whopping 1,001. He is also the highest capped player in the history of the Portuguese national team with 205.
In fact, Ronaldo has made more international appearances than any other men’s footballer.
Ronaldo scored his 50th goal for Al-Nassr in their 1-0 win over Al-Ahli in Jeddah on Friday evening
Fans were quick to comment on the 39-year-old’s tired feet after more than two decades in the sport
Ahead of meeting Roberto Martinez’s side for the games against Sweden and Slovenia this week, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star took some time off with his family.
Partner Georgina Rodriguez showed the forward enjoying a walk on the beach with his children and soaking up the sun at their lavish resort.
Following the conclusion of the league campaign, which Al-Nassr still have dim hopes of ending in their first league title in five years, the striker will win his second European championship this summer.