Cristiano Ronaldo is still playing soccer at 40 years old. He does so both for Al-Nassr and for the Portuguese national team. He is able to do this because he takes great care of himself, not only for work, but also for his physical well-being.
He spoke recently about that well-being in a forceful way on the Whoop podcast. Among his statements, this one stood out: "It's the most important thing we can have in life when it comes to health."
The most crucial habit of Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to health
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is preparing his wedding with Georgina Rodríguez, is one of the best footballers of recent decades. This is because he has always been very strict with his sports routines and his self-care to always be at the highest level. That's why at 40 years old he is still playing and shows no signs of retiring anytime soon.
That consistency he has to always be in top shape was the central theme of the recent interview he gave to the aforementioned podcast. In the interview, he stated: "It's the most important thing we can have in life when it comes to health. I'm referring to having a good night's sleep."
He added: "Sleeping is the most important tool I have. It's the only time of the day when you can recover and put everything in its place." He even confessed: "I usually go to bed between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. and I get up at 8:30 – 8:45."
"I don't like it when I travel or when we have matches at night because my body shakes and the quality of sleep isn't the same. But you have to balance so you don't affect your sleep time."
His approach to sleep isn't new, since for years, the footballer has followed scientific methods to optimize his rest. Among them, the segmented sleep system stands out: several short naps during the day that complement nighttime sleep. This strategy helps keep energy levels stable and reduces the risk of injuries.
Cristiano Ronaldo: discipline, maturity, and self-care at 40 years old
Cristiano Ronaldo's commitment to his well-being goes far beyond the playing field. In addition to taking care of his sleep, he follows a meticulously balanced diet.
He also pays special attention to his daily training, which includes strength sessions, functional exercises, and cardiovascular work, but also stretching, physiotherapy, and active recovery.
On the podcast, he also reflected on how his perspective has changed over time. He explained: "When you're young, you think you're going to live forever and that you'll have energy forever. You think you're indestructible."
"But with the years, even more so in a sport like soccer, where the physical demands are enormous, you have to know how to handle it. You have to be smart and do things differently."
That learning has led him to understand health as a whole. For him, the key is to balance body, mind, and rest. That philosophy has allowed him to extend his career beyond what is usual, competing at the elite level when many of his teammates have already retired.