There can’t be too many 41-year-olds in better shape than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is closing in on 1,000 career goals and remains the picture of peak human performance.
But the diet it takes to hit those lofty heights is not for the feint-hearted.
Forget donuts and fizzy drinks – salt, pepper and cooking oil don’t even make the cut for CR7.
Kelly Johnson – once a senior chef at Manchester United – can attest to that.
She was a “constant feature” in the players’ daily lives and spent her days feeding them, ordering produce and speaking to nutritionists.
But catering for the ultra-strict Ronaldo was a job in itself.
While some players delved into the pre-prepared buffet items at Carrington, Ronaldo would make a beeline for the kitchen to talk tactics for the day.
Johnson, who now runs 1B Tap House Micropub and On The Breadline & Co Bakery in Great Harwood, Lancashire, told SunSport: “Cristiano, in my opinion, was the cleanest and strictest eater amongst all the players I have ever fed.
“He took numerous players under his wing and influenced their eating habits.
“He chose not to eat anything fried or processed, carbonated drinks and sugary items were strictly prohibited and red meats would not be his primary go-to protein, only choosing this option in small quantities.”
And that’s not all.
Another of Ronaldo’s former chefs, Giorgio Barone, recently revealed that cow’s milk was off the menu because it is “not normal for human beings”.
So what does that leave?
Well, for breakfast Ronny would often tuck into a bowl of coconut milk porridge, made to order with no added sugar or additives.
His favourite training day meal at United was 180g of fish with sweet potato and tenderstem broccoli.
He would sub out the fish for chicken on matchdays, asking chefs to remove the skin and steam it without – you guessed it – oil, salt or pepper.
Then comes the top-shelf stuff.
United staff imported the finest Iberico ham and carved it upon his request.
And Kelly was responsible for importing and dry-ageing wagyu beef in the kitchen’s Himalayan salt fridge, which was one of Ronaldo’s favourites.
Keeping the cupboards stocked with all that is just downright unrealistic for most average folk.
So how can people without bottomless pockets keep trim like CR7?
Kelly revealed that chicken, salmon, boiled rice, sweet potato wedges, tenderstem broccoli and coconut milk porridge are Ronaldo’s dietary powerhouses.
She added: “He opted for small, light meals and always told us the specific way he wanted it to be cooked, mainly opting for it to be steamed with no oil, salt or pepper.
“Eating like Cristiano isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being disciplined, consistent, and intentional with food choices over time.
“Adopting his diet needs serious dedication, mental discipline and the ability to maintain this habit repeatedly.”
Kelly was in constant conversations with nutritionists but Ronaldo might have been more knowledgeable than all of them.
He also made sure the kitchen staff were well looked after.
She recalled: “Cristiano was very giving with advice and support not only to players, but to us as chefs about health and wellbeing.
“He bought us gifts such as infra-masks to help with skin tone, teaching us the importance of always looking after ourselves.
“He always made sure the kitchen team was supplied with gifts and hampers at Christmas.
“Cristiano and Bruno [Fernandes] also took the time out to record a special birthday video for my daughter, Delilah.”
Kelly left Carrington a couple of years ago and is enjoying success with her new ventures up north.
The 1B Tap serves hand-picked imported beers and local cask ales, with her team “working endlessly to drive their community hub”.
On The Breadline & Co is an artisan bakery dishing up handmade bread, pies and patisserie alongside a carefully thought-out dine-in menu.
Kelly said: “My passion for cheffing is clearly the ethos here and my team of nine are passionate about my background and developing themselves.”
