 |
|
May 21, 2025
It's common to see football players reaching their peak in their late 20's and then eventually hang up their boots a few years, in their mid 30's if they're lucky... That's not the case with Ronaldo, as the Portuguese already entered his 40's and keeps challenging mother nature...
Cristiano Ronaldo is concluding the 2024/25 season at the age of 40, still showcasing a level of performance that remains unparalleled among most professionals at their peak. His physical conditioning, psychological resilience, and adaptive training methodology position him as a unique exemplar of sporting longevity. As of now, he remains a key player for Al-Nassr, one of the leading clubs in the Saudi Arabian league, and the team’s top scorer. Cristiano Ronaldo in 2025 is not merely a legend but one of the rare examples of sustained athletic longevity in world football. At 40, he continues to play for Al-Nassr and remains pivotal both on and off the pitch. For those engaged in sports insights, understanding the factors influencing his form and performance can offer a critical edge when analyzing matches and predicting outcomes.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Talent and hard-work
According to Transfermarkt, Ronaldo played 34 matches for his club in the 2024/25 season, netting 32 goals. Despite his age, he maintains remarkable efficiency, particularly in the final third of the field.
Ronaldo maintains an exceptionally low body fat percentage — approximately 7% — a figure corroborated during his tenures at Real Madrid and Juventus (sources: AS and The Sun). This is achievable thanks to a multifaceted training process, encompassing:
• aerobic and strength conditioning;
• stability and coordination exercises;
• ongoing collaboration with physiotherapists and nutritionists.
Additionally, he employs cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, compression technology, and other elite recovery methods. In a 2023 interview with Marca, Ronaldo emphasized that “recovery is now more important than training itself.”
British sleep specialist Nick Littlehales, who has worked with Ronaldo, detailed in his book Sleep how the footballer employs a polyphasic sleep pattern — four to five naps per day, each approximately 90 minutes. This approach accelerates recovery and maintains cognitive function despite frequent travel and intense match schedules.
Ronaldo’s diet consists of:
• lean meats, predominantly chicken and fish;
• fresh vegetables;
• legumes and nuts;
• olive oil as the primary fat source.
He completely abstains from refined sugars, carbonated drinks, processed foods, and alcohol (Men’s Health interview, 2020).
Ronaldo sustains a level of motivation rare even among elite athletes. His core philosophy, articulated in a 2017 FIFA.com interview, states:
“If you think you are already good enough, you stop progressing.”
He regularly engages with sports psychologists, practices visualization techniques, and meticulously analyses his own performances. This grants him a psychological edge during periods of dense scheduling and high-pressure games — including pivotal matches in the AFC Champions League and Saudi Pro League derbies.
Ronaldo is among the few athletes who not only respond to age-related changes but anticipate and pre-empt them. Post-35, his training has shifted focus from sheer speed and endurance to:
• strengthening stabilizing muscles;
• explosive power exercises;
• injury risk reduction.
Personalized biometric monitoring — heart rate, heart rate variability, oxygen saturation, and more — enables his team to adjust workloads in real time.
Ronaldo’s participation directly influences betting odds. Analysis by OddsChecker indicates that in the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League matches, the odds of Al-Nassr winning dropped by an average of 10–12% when Ronaldo was named in the starting lineup. Popular betting markets involving Ronaldo include:
• First goalscorer;
• Total goals by Ronaldo;
• Scoring from penalties or free kicks;
• Live bets in the final 20 minutes.
Thus, for analysts and bettors, Ronaldo’s presence is not just a factor affecting gameplay but a significant variable in probability calculations.
Cristiano Ronaldo exemplifies the fusion of athletic longevity, technological innovation in training, and a resilient mindset. He does not merely persist at the elite level — he sets the standard. His approach offers valuable insights not only for coaches and medical professionals but also for analysts and stakeholders within sports betting.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on May 21, against Al Khaleej, for the Saudi Super League. You can watch Al Nassr vs Al Khaleej, Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad, PSG vs Reims, Tottenham vs Manchester United, Southampton vs Arsenal and Fulham vs Man City, all matches provided from our soccer streaming game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Al Khalkeej kick-off time (21-05-2025):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 01:10
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 21:40
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 19:10
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 18:10
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 17:10
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 14:10
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 13:10
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 10:10
Sources: ronaldo7.net / menshealth.com / whoop.com
