Cristiano Ronaldo’s secret to healthy feets

November 10, 2025 Oliver Obel

Cristiano Ronaldo’s devotion to performance has always bordered on the obsessive — from his protein-rich meals to his precisely timed naps. Yet one small, easily overlooked detail of his routine has left fans puzzled: his black-painted toenails.

Photos of the Portuguese icon’s feet have surfaced online over the years, showing the 40-year-old Al Nassr forward sporting a coat of dark polish. It’s not a new fashion statement, nor a sudden whim. In fact, the habit stretches back nearly a decade and serves a surprisingly practical purpose.

A Habit Years in the Making

Images showing Ronaldo’s painted toenails first appeared as early as 2016. More recent snapshots — including one taken alongside former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou — confirm that it remains part of his self-care routine today.

Fans initially noticed the detail in Ronaldo’s relaxed social-media photos, often when he’s modeling pieces from his CR7 underwear brand. For a player who has spent his career chasing marginal gains, even this minor ritual fits his meticulous approach to fitness and recovery.

More Than Style: The Science Behind It

According to a report by the German outlet BILD, athletes like Ronaldo use black nail polish as a protective layer rather than a fashion choice. The coating helps prevent fungal infections caused by long hours in tight, sweaty boots — a common issue in football and other high-intensity sports.

Dermatology experts say the polish can act as a barrier that shields nails from bacteria and reduces the risk of cracking or splitting during training sessions. For someone as dedicated to maintaining peak condition as Ronaldo, it’s one more small measure in a lifetime of calculated discipline.

Not Just Ronaldo

While it might look unusual on a football pitch, painted toenails are hardly rare in combat sports. UFC veterans Andrei Arlovski and Israel Adesanya have both been spotted with dark polish on their toes.

Adesanya once joked that he does it because it “looks better when he knocks out opponents,” though the hygienic benefits are the same. Even Mike Tyson, during his prime, was known to use similar protective coatings. Across disciplines, it’s a quiet tradition among athletes who know that the smallest details can make the biggest difference.

A Perfectionist’s Edge

From nutrition and sleep to recovery and now nail care, every aspect of Ronaldo’s life reflects the same obsessive precision that has defined his two-decade career. It’s a mindset that has helped him remain among the world’s elite well into his forties — and made him the only footballer in history to score in five FIFA World Cup tournaments.

It’s a small habit with a big message: even after decades at the top, Cristiano Ronaldo still refuses to leave anything — not even his toenails — to chance.

Sources: BILD, GIVEMESPORT, Reuters, BBC, AP