The dedication Cristiano Ronaldo has put into his career in order to become one of the best footballers in the world is no secret.
Through a strict diet and intense training regime – plus the small matter of incredible talent – the Portuguese has become a global superstar.
However, he has doubts as to whether his son, Cristiano Jr, will follow in his footsteps.
Footage has been unearthed of an interview with Ronaldo Senior at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards in 2020 where he’s asked if his offspring has what it takes to reach the very top.
“Not yet,” Ronaldo responded. “I’m hard with him sometimes because he drinks Coca-Cola and Fanta sometimes and I’m p***** with him.
“I fight with him when he eats chips and fries and everything. He knows I don’t like it.
“He has potential. He’s a big boy, he’s fast and he’s driven well.
“But this nothing, I tell him every time, it takes a lot of dedication, a lot of hard work.
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| Image: PA |
“Sometimes when we’re at home I say, ‘go to the treadmill to run a bit’ and after the treadmill I say, ‘now go to the cold water to recover to do it tomorrow again,’ and it’s, ‘daddy, it’s so cold the water, I don’t want to do it.’
“But I understand it. He’s only 10. It’s up to him.
“I’m not gonna push nothing for him to be a football player. If you ask me if I want, yes, I want, but he’s gonna be whatever he wants. If he wants to be a doctor, I just want him thinking, ‘I’ve got to be the best.'”
“AGUA!” 🚰
Cristiano Ronaldo replaced the Euro 2020 sponsor drink with water; no fizzy drinks allowed! 😆 pic.twitter.com/Ng2x4p8SKs
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) June 15, 2021
Ronaldo reportedly has up to six meals a day, with two lunches and two dinners comprising heavily of fish, chicken, meat and salads.
It’s unlikely his menu includes Coca-Cola.
The 36-year-old recently caused a stir when he moved two bottles of the soft drink to one side during a Euro 2020 press conference.
He then proceeded to take out a bottle of water and said to the cameras: “Agua! (Water!)”.
It was reported that the gesture caused Coca-Cola a $4b loss.
Ronaldo became the European Championship’s top scorer of all time with two goals in Portugal’s Group F win over Hungary.
Ronaldo is six months older than Rooney. Drink water, kids. pic.twitter.com/o4N9vFBW3P
— Walrus In a Top Hat (@Red_Roscoe) June 21, 2021
He also became the first player ever to score at five European Championships, having struck at the 2020, 2016, 2012, 2008 and 2004 editions of the tournament.
He is now just three goals away from breaking the record for the most international goals of all time.
That record is held by the Iranian Ali Daei, who hit 109 goals in 148 games for Iran.
Ronaldo has 106 in 176 appearances for Portugal.