Cristiano Ronaldo continues to captivate fans worldwide, not only with his stunning football skills but with every detail of his life shared on social media.
The 40-year-old, who currently stars for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and recently rejected a move to Al-Hilal, posted a family photo with his son Cristiano Junior, sparking thousands of reactions — not for a goal or celebration, but for the surprising black polish on his toenails.
The image, shared on Instagram where Ronaldo boasts over 650 million followers, has set social media abuzz with the same question: why is he wearing nail polish?
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This isn’t a mere fashion statement.
According to Luis Sanchez Ibanez, a pharmacy and nutrition expert, speaking to MARCA, “It is a technique that is also common in other types of sportsmen, such as athletes.
“With this gesture they try to prevent injuries.”
The black nail polish Cristiano Ronaldo applies is designed to harden and protect his nails from knocks, kicks, and fractures — common risks in professional football.
This preventative measure is gaining traction among elite sportsmen and women, including MMA legends like Mike Tyson.
Ronaldo’s dedication to maintaining peak physical condition is well known.
He follows a strict regime: a diet rich in natural products, scheduled naps for optimised rest, daily physiotherapy sessions, and cryotherapy treatments — a method he pioneered that many athletes now adopt.
Such discipline extends to injury prevention, strengthening weak points, and correcting muscle imbalances.
Sanchez Ibanez remarks, “It is a discipline that explains why, four decades after its birth, he is still a reference in world sport.”
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Foot health is crucial for athletes training in hot and humid environments.
As she spoke to The Athletic, Dr Helen Branthwaite from the Royal College of Podiatry explains, “With over 250,000 sweat glands in your feet, the average person will produce around half a pint of sweat per day in their feet.
“Virtually all fungal toenail infections come from fungal skin infections, commonly known as athlete’s foot, which then spreads to the nail.”
The black polish also helps protect against bacteria, which thrive in the warm, moist conditions inside football boots and socks.
Although there’s no universal agreement on its efficacy, a small study suggested that nail varnish can shield healthy nails from infection.
Ronaldo, a fan of UFC, where black nail polish is popular, was a VIP guest at a fight night in Riyadh earlier this year.
UFC stars like Israel Adesanya paint their nails too, combining protection with personal style — Adesanya explained he wanted “drip tips” to match his in-ring persona.
Whether the trend catches on in football remains to be seen, but Ronaldo’s obsession with every detail of his body is clear.
As he proves, even painted toenails can be part of an elite athlete’s quest to stay the best in the world.
For players like Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente, who recently complained of toenail pain in extreme heat, practical advice from Dr Branthwaite is crucial: “Avoiding walking barefoot in communal areas, such as changing rooms, will also reduce the chances of picking up the infection.”
So, while the polished look might seem unusual, it’s all part of the meticulous care that helps Cristiano Ronaldo perform at the highest level — a small but telling symbol of his legendary professionalism.
Cristiano Ronaldo nail polish
Image Credits: Instagram / @cristiano
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