THE SECRETS OF THE ETERNAL YOUTH OF CRISTIANO RONALDO

Despite his 36th birthday, which he celebrates this Friday 5 February, Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo remains an incredible scoring machine. How does CR7 manage to maintain such a level despite the weight of the years? A look back at a phenomenon.

instagram.com/cristiano

Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar don't just have an extraordinary talent for the ball in common. The two stars were born on the same day, 5 February. This Friday, CR7 celebrates its 36th birthday as the Parisian blows out his 29 candles. A quick look at their social network posts is enough to gauge their differences on how to celebrate their birthdays. In Neymar the XXL celebrations (except this year, due to the health crisis), in Portugal the spirit is a little more family oriented. Without doubt one of the secrets of its success.

At 36 years old, the decline of the five times Golden Ball is long overdue. On Tuesday, CR7 struck again with a double on the pitch of Inter Milan (2-1) in the first leg of the semi-final of the Italian Cup, bringing its total number of goals in the official match to 762. In other words, Pele's record (767) should not be long in coming...

In spite of his advanced age for a professional player, the European champion does not falter. Although he no longer exceeds the 40 or 50 goals per season in all competitions combined, as he did at his best at Real Madrid, he still hovers well above the 20 mark (24 already in the current one). "Cristiano has made an intelligent transformation of his physique, his way of playing and his movements over the years, notes Spanish doctor Pedro Luis Ripoll, who works for the Fifa, quoted by Marca on Friday. In his early days, he worked on explosiveness, power and speed. Then he focused on physics and dietetics. Doctor Van Dijk who operated on his ankle told me that he was professional 24 hours a day. This gives him a biological age well below his 36 years".

Elastic body

In particular, the doctor insists on sleep. But above all, he emphasises the mentality of a Portuguese champion: "He always wants to win. He is never satisfied and is very demanding with himself. The brain is the key to the champion. It is the basis, along with intelligence and lucidity. I think he can play until the age of 40". In fact, the Turin native has already expressed his wish to play until the age of 40. Pedro Luis Ripoll also points out that Ronaldo has an "elastic" body that has allowed him to escape many injuries. The doctor says that a goalkeeper, who had tried to stop CR7 in a friendly manner with his hand, dislocated his shoulder.

Ronaldo wants to make history

"At the age of 18, he already stood out with an incredible physique," recalls Ricardo Lopez, the former Manchester United goalkeeper and Ronaldo's partner in the Red Devils. The former Sporting goalkeeper recalls that the former Sporting player struggled at first in England. "But he was young, he didn't flinch and he earned the respect of Keane, Giggs. Now he's a striker and his goal is the goal." And to make history.

This Friday CR7 will celebrate his birthday with his family. But the Old Lady's striker won't be pulling an all-nighter. Because there is a match on Saturday afternoon. In difficulty in the race for the title with Juve, CR7 will be keen to make AS Roma bend for the shock of the 21st day of Serie A.

Source: Website