Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his 39th birthday this week with a selection of lavishly decorated cakes.
He later posted the Instagram photo of him sunbathing after training, suggesting he had not touched a single crumb.
The fitness-obsessed Portuguese star remains as ripped as ever, but even he isn’t invulnerable when it comes to injuries.
The six-week winter break of the Saudi Pro League, which also includes the Asian Cup, has given Ronaldo time to recover from a calf problem and he hopes to return to action soon.
Al-Nassr’s last competitive match was the 4–1 win over Al-Taawoun on December 30, a result that kept them in the eye of leader Al-Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo turned 39 last week and marked the occasion with a family photo with partner Georgina Rodriguez, four of his five children and some lavish birthday cakes
The next day, Ronaldo showed off his toned physique while sunbathing after Al-Nassr training
Ronaldo last played on December 30, when Al-Nassr defeated Al-Taawoun 4-1 in the Pro League
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They resume their AFC Champions League campaign against fellow Saudi club Al-Fayha on February 14 and resume league action against Al-Fateh three days later.
But Ronaldo’s winter break was of course quite busy with a family holiday in Dubai, collecting more trophies and a visit to China, where he was unable to play.
The injury had him cheering from the stands as Al-Nassr defeated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 6-0 last week.
His Argentine rival only made a late cameo from the bench, but Ronaldo would undoubtedly have been keen to have some help to rub his nose in what was a thoroughly one-sided match.
Ronaldo did travel to China, where he gave a press conference and waved to adoring fans wearing No. 7 jerseys from a bus window in Shenzhen, but he did not take the field.
Al-Nassr was scheduled to play Shanghai Shenhua on January 24 and Zhejiang four days later during a winter training camp in Shenzhen, but Ronaldo’s injury saw both matches postponed.
“I’m really sad because Al-Nassr and I came to China to enjoy the tour. We didn’t cancel the match, we want to push for the match and be back here,” Ronaldo said.
Postponing the matches was probably a wise decision by Al-Nassr, in light of the anger in Hong Kong over Messi being left on the bench during a much-hyped friendly between Inter Miami this week.
Ronaldo was the center of attention during a visit to Shenzhen in China, but two matches were postponed after he suffered a calf injury
Al-Nassr have said they will return to play the two tour matches once Ronaldo is fit again
The star still traveled to China and gave a press conference before waving to his fans
Al-Nassr was able to organize a winter break training camp in China while Ronaldo nursed his injury
Ronaldo was presented to the public ahead of Al-Nassr’s friendly match with Inter Miami, where he dropped out due to an injury
Ronaldo was seen cheering from the posh seats as Al-Nassr thrashed Messi’s Inter Miami 6-0
The Argentine made only a late cameo appearance from the bench as his team were thrashed
After the supposedly unfit Messi came off the bench to play the next match in Japan, fans and media in Hong Kong cried foul.
On January 20, Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez were in Dubai, where he added even more personal accolades to his vast collection.
He won the Best Middle Eastern Player Award, Fans’ Favorite Player of the Year and the Maradona Award for Top Scorer at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.
Ronaldo joked that he still had ‘ten years to go’ when asked on stage if he planned to retire any time soon. Erling Haaland – who won the main player award – was unimpressed when speaking about his top scorer award.
Ronaldo spent time with his entire family in Dubai during the January pre-season break
Ronaldo and Georgina pose for a photo in the sea during their sunshine in Dubai
There were more personal accolades for Ronaldo at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
He was accompanied at the awards ceremony by his partner Georgina Rodriguez
Ronaldo also attended the Dubai International Sports Conference as part of his visit
The 39-year-old has continued to score goals at a prodigious rate, with 30 in 31 appearances for Al-Nassr this season. He also scored 10 for Portugal in the 2023 calendar year as he looks towards Euro 2024.
The winter break has also given Ronaldo the chance to relax and spend time with his family.
His birthday was celebrated with Georgina and four of his five children as the whole family enjoyed a beach holiday in Dubai at the start of the month.
Temperatures are pleasant in Dubai early this year, in the mid-20s, and judging by the couple’s Instagram photos, the sky was blue and the sea was certainly warm enough.
Ronaldo’s mother, Dolores Aveiro, was delighted to receive the Porsche Cayenne as a gift
It came after they celebrated the New Year in Ronaldo’s hometown of Madeira, with a spectacular fireworks display.
Ronaldo’s sister Katia captured the moment their mother Dolores Aveiro shed tears of joy after the star gifted her with a new Porsche Cayenne for her 69th birthday, which retails from £70,400.
But soon Ronaldo will start his mission to surpass the 54 goals he scored in 2023. There is always more to achieve.