Cristiano Ronaldo's health, sleep and diet habits to delay retirement – like 'magic' chicken

Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo has been performing at the highest level for over two decades, amassing countless honours and scoring hundreds of goals.

Even now at 39, Ronaldo's dedication to his craft remains unwavering as he continues to play for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and represents Portugal on the international stage, having just suffered a heartbreaking exit on penalties to France at Euro 2024. His remarkable longevity is attributed to a rigorous fitness regime and a host of distinctive health habits.

Some of Ronaldo's lifestyle choices are particularly noteworthy; he favours a high-protein intake, adheres to a weird sleep routine, and even paints his nails, the Mirror report. With the 2026 World Cup to aim for before hanging up his boots for good and retiring from football, here's how he'll try to play a part in one final tournament for Portugal.

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One of Ronaldo's dietary staples is chicken, which he famously dubbed "magical" for its nutritional value. Rather than sticking to the traditional three meals a day, Ronaldo opts for six smaller meals, spacing them out across the day.

His eating schedule includes breakfast, brunch, lunch, a snack, supper, and dinner. While the debate on the efficacy of multiple small meals vs three larger ones continues on, Ronaldo's approach to meal planning is fairly standard among elite athletes.

The Portuguese striker's preferred protein source is often chicken, complemented by other healthy foods like avocado, fish, quinoa, and a variety of fresh fruits incorporated into his