An image of Cristiano Ronaldo with his son has once again sparked conversation on social media. Not because of a goal, a celebration or a controversial statement, but because of a much more subtle detail: the black color of his toenails.
The Portuguese, who at 40 years of age has competed at the highest level with Al-Nassr and maintains an enviable physique, takes care of every aspect of his body with surgical precision. The image posted on Instagram, where he has more than 650 million followers, has generated thousands of reactions and the same question: why is he wearing nail polish?
Far from being merely an aesthetic choice, it is actually a medically based preventive measure. “It is a technique that is also common in other types of sportsmen, such as athletes. With this gesture they try to prevent injuries,” explained Luis Sanchez Ibanez, an expert in pharmacy and nutrition, to MARCA.
The black nail polish that Cristiano applies to his nails is intended to harden and protect them against knocks, kicks or fractures, something that is common in a sport as demanding as professional soccer. This practice, which is increasingly widespread among elite sportsmen and women, has also been used by figures such as Mike Tyson.
Cristiano leaves nothing to chance. For years he has followed a meticulous physical care regime: a diet based on natural products, optimized rest with scheduled naps, daily physiotherapy sessions, and treatments such as cryotherapy, a technique in which he was a pioneer and which today is part of the daily routine of many athletes.
It also incorporates specific routines to prevent injuries, strengthen weak points in the body and correct muscle imbalances. This is a discipline that explains why, four decades after its birth, it is still a reference in world sport.
Behind every viral image there is a reason. In Cristiano’s case, even a seemingly anecdotal detail such as painted nails speaks of an obsession: to remain the best.
Read the full article here