Cristiano Ronaldo’s former private chef has disclosed that the 41-year-old football star has eliminated milk from his diet. Ronaldo is nearing the completion of his 25th professional season and approaches 1,000 career goals after netting his 969th in Al-Nassr’s recent victory.
Ronaldo's Strict Dietary Regimen
The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid forward has adhered to a rigorous diet throughout his career, often crediting his clean eating habits for his extended longevity in football. Giorgio Barone, who previously prepared Ronaldo’s meals, revealed that milk has been cut from the athlete’s nutrition plan despite its reputation as a source of protein and calcium.
Barone's Controversial Stance on Milk
“No milk,” Barone told Covers.com. “Humans are the only animals that drink the milk of other animals. No other animal drinks milk after three months. Calves don’t drink milk after the age of three months. Animals don’t drink the milk of other animals.” He added, “It does not exist in nature. Only human beings continue to drink milk up to 30, 40, 50, and 60 years, and in my view it is wrong. We breastfeed from our mothers, like dogs, wolves, cows and donkeys. It is normal. After infancy it is not normal. It is against nature.”
Ronaldo's Impact on Beverage Industry
In 2021, Ronaldo famously wiped $4 billion off Coca-Cola’s market value during a European Championship press conference by removing a bottle of the drink and urging the audience to “drink water.”
Additional Health Practices
Ronaldo incorporates saunas and ice baths into his recovery routine and maintains body fat levels below 10 percent through a high-protein diet that avoids sugar and carbohydrates like pasta and bread. “Cristiano Ronaldo’s diet is balanced,” Barone explained. “He eats a little bit of everything, but it’s always healthy. Starting with breakfast, he would have an avocado with coffee, eggs and no sugar. Absolutely no sugar. Lunch could be chicken, fish and always vegetables. If he needs carbohydrates, he gets them through vegetables, so he doesn’t need anything made with flour. Nothing like pasta, bread and other types of food. In the evening, he eats light foods, usually fish or meat in the form of fillet. It’s always accompanied by vegetables.”
