It is no secret that Cristiano Ronaldo keeps his body in pristine condition. But the results of the Portuguese star’s medical ahead of his move to Juventus may have left even him surprised. The former Real Madrid star celebrated his 33rd birthday earlier this year but medical staff in Turin found that he actually has the physical traits of a 20-year-old.
Ronaldo looked at ease as he was put through a series of tests before his sensational £100million switch from Real Madrid to the Serie A giants was confirmed – and now we know why. The medical discovered that Ronaldo has a mere seven per cent body fat. That is roughly three per cent better than the average professional footballer. Ronaldo also boasts a incredible muscle mass of 50 per cent, which is roughly four per cent better than other players.
He also recorded the highest sprint speed at the World Cup of any player with his quickest pace of 21.1 mph. He then went on to reproduce that in his medical.
Ronaldo has signed a four-year deal with the Italian giants, and is set to return to Turin in time for a few training sessions before making his debut on the opening day of the season.
After taking very little time off after the World Cup, Ronaldo has been in China to promote both his and Nike’s brand. He turned up at Beijing’s Olympic Sports Centre on Tuesday and took part in a training session alongside starstruck fans.
During the week-long tour, Ronaldo has continued his efforts to promote football at a grass-roots level in China. The government are committed to becoming a football powerhouse and their hope is that Ronaldo’s mere presence will inspire youngsters to take up the sport.
Ronaldo has been tipped to be successful at Juventus. However, the former Real Madrid defender has warned CR7 that leaving the Spanish giants was his biggest regret. During his three-year stay at Santiago Bernabeu, Panucci won LaLiga, the Supercopa de Espana, the Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup. He later joined Inter, where he struggled to recapture his form and fell out with then coach Marcello Lippi.
The 45-year-old gave a positive assessment of Ronaldo’s prospects in Serie A following his €112million move to the champions, but indicated that the Portugal icon might live to regret his decision to leave Madrid.
“When I left Madrid I was convinced,” Panucci said.
“I wanted to leave Madrid and it was the biggest foolishness of my sports career, and I regret it now. Cristiano is going to win because he is too good a player not to do it. It’s normal madness for Cristiano, he’s the best in the world. He’s a very smart signing who is going to give other great players a push to come to Italy. Being a champion is in his blood.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss Juventus’ pre-season tour of the U.S.A, instead making his debut in the Villar Perosa friendly. The Ballon d’Or has joined the Bianconeri from Real Madrid, but has been given extra time off after the World Cup. He’ll return for pre-season on July 30, but ESPN is reporting that CR7 will not take part in the International Champions Cup. It was initially thought he could be available to face his former side in Maryland on August 5, but the players involved in the World Cup latter stages will stay in Italy to prepare for the coming season.
Mario Mandzukic, Marko Pjaca and Blaise Matuidi will join the squad in August, as they were all involved in the World Cup final.
Ronaldo should therefore make his first appearance in the traditional Villar Perosa friendly against the Primavera side.