Footage of Cristiano Ronaldo that appears to show super human endurance goes viral
Today at 08:22 AM
Cristiano Ronaldo is showing no signs of slowing down as he approaches his 40th birthday.
The Al Nassr star has nine goals in 11 games for the Saudi club this season.
He is renowned for his strict diet and fitness regime to keep himself in top shape.
And a fan video taken after the AFC Champions League win over Iranian outfit Esteghlal showed off his incredible stamina.
The match was moved to Dubai due to recent tensions in the Middle East.
Temperatures are hitting the high 30s this week with energy-sapping 50 per cent-plus humidity taking its toll.
The clip shows Ronaldo celebrating the hard-fought win, which came via an Aymeric Laporte strike, by waving his fist to fans as he walks around the field.
It then pans to his exhausted teammates and opponents, who seem to have been beaten by the conditions
Some can be seen lying flat on their backs, one kneels with his head on the turf and another is being treated for cramp.
The video was shared with the caption: “Al Nassr players fell to the ground after the match due to humidity and fatigue and then there’s 40 years old Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Some fans agreed with the original poster.
One wrote: “Gotta appreciate his fitness man.”
A second said: “His strength is insane.”
But others took their chance to fire shots at Ronaldo.
A third fumed: “He was literally doing nothing the entire game, not marking, not creating any chances, not scoring, just in the box waiting for crosses.”
A fourth added: “Obviously because he was standing in the box waiting for tap ins. How do you get tired by doing that.”
Ronaldo has admitted defeat in his battle to usurp Lionel Messi‘s Ballon d'Or record after going two years without a nomination.
"It is not important anymore whether I am the best or not, I no longer care about that," the five-time winner said.
"It is good for a player to score goals, but for me it is better for the team to win.
"I am used to breaking records and I no longer look for them. The most important thing for me now is to enjoy and help Al Nassr and my teammates to win."
But he has no plans to hang up his boots and told Portuguese TV that he intends to play in Saudi Arabia for two or three more seasons.
