On June 15, Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo posted a photo on Instagram taken at the gym with his 14-year-old son, Cristiano Jr., displaying their musculature, according to The New York Times. Both father and son are wearing sports shorts and are shirtless, standing in what appears to be a private gym.
Ronaldo's appearance with black-painted toenails sparked widespread reactions after he posted the picture on social media. Fans quickly expressed their opinions about Ronaldo's black toenail polish, with some comments including: "I didn't expect it! I don't like it!"
Ronaldo's black nail polish is not new, as he has been seen on previous occasions with nails of this color.
Cristiano Ronaldo's black toenail polish is not for decoration but serves a medical purpose, helping to harden his toenails and prevent fungus and bacteria. The risk of foot infections is high for athletes like soccer players, who are prone to sweat and are easily exposed to bacterial and fungal infections due to continuous wear of shoes during training and matches.
By painting his toenails, a protective layer is created, making the toenails harder and less likely to crack, which is crucial in a sport where tackles and strikes are common. This practice is common among high-level athletes, including martial artists and fighters.
The black polish is a trend popularized by mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, with athletes like former champion Francis Ngannou regularly using this technique. Middleweight Israel Adesanya paints his fingernails and explained at a press conference before UFC 293 in 2023: "I wanted to get 'drip tips' on my nails because it would be disrespectful to knock them (opponents) out with these ugly things. I'll do my toes as well, in case I kick them in the face."
Ronaldo is a fan of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), where the trend of painting toenails became evident among professional athletes.
However, there is no professional consensus on the effectiveness of nail varnish in preventing nail infections. "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," said Dr. Helen Branthwaite, a spokesperson for the Royal College of Podiatry.
"Virtually all fungal toenail infections come from fungal skin infections, commonly known as athlete's foot, which then spreads to the nail," stated Dr. Branthwaite. She added, "Leaving this skin infection untreated is the biggest risk factor for developing nail fungus." Dr. Branthwaite advised, "Avoiding walking barefoot in communal areas, such as changing rooms, will also reduce the chances of picking up the infection."
While nail polish serves a mechanical function for athletes, Dr. Branthwaite believes that good foot hygiene is a more certain solution to preventing foot infections.
Despite the debates, Ronaldo's dedication to maintaining his physical condition remains evident. At 40 years old, the Portuguese football star continues to amaze with his physique and discipline. Cristiano Jr. seems to be following his father's example of training hard, demonstrating a strong work ethic.
Some fans commented on how tall Cristiano Jr. is getting, with one remarking, "He is becoming taller than you, brother, wow," according to Liputan 6. Former Manchester United teammate Patrice Evra also noted that Cristiano Jr.'s height is increasingly approaching that of his father.
Cristiano Jr., at 14 years old, not only follows in his father's footsteps in the sports world but is also physically similar to him.
Ronaldo's black toenails may appear as a style choice at first glance, but there is a hidden reason behind it, as noted by Asia Economy. Although black nail polish is often seen as a fashion detail among men, Ronaldo's reasons for wearing it are exclusively functional, serving as another shield in his arsenal as an athlete.
In football, toenails constantly receive blows and pressure from ball control, marking, and tight shoes, making them susceptible to damage, Proto Thema explained. Maintaining his feet in perfect condition is imperative for an athlete like Ronaldo, whose legs are the most important tool.
Produced with the assistance of a news-analysis system.