Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s bizarre health routine including six meals a DAY, cryotherapy sessions and painting his NAILS

AT 38, Cristiano Ronaldo does everything he can to stay on top of his game - and that includes a stringent and bizarre health routine.

Earlier this week, CR7 caused a stir on social media when he shared a picture on Instagram enjoying a sauna.

But it wasn't the ex-Man Utd star's chiselled abs that had fans talking. It was his painted toenails that his followers were happy to point out.

Astonishingly, that is just a number of vigils the five-time Ballon d'Or winner abides by to keep himself in tip-top shape.

SunSport explores Ronaldo's healthy habits.

Six meals a day

The former Real Madrid legend can eat up to SIX meals a day, with fish a big part of his diet.

Swordfish, tuna and braised cod are particular favourites.

He regards chicken as 'magical' due to its high protein and low fat content.

For breakfast Ronaldo will eat ham and cheese and low-fat yoghurt.

If he doesn't have it for brekkie, the Manchester United star will wolf down avocado toast for snacks during the day.

Lunch No1 could consist of chicken and salad, while No2 might be fish - maybe tuna with salad, eggs and olives.

Dinner will see the football legend fill his boots with meat or fish, maybe breaking them up in two separate sittings.

Cryotherapy chamber

Since 2013, Ronaldo has sworn by cryotherapy treatment.

He had a chamber, costing around £50,000, installed in his Spanish mansion when he played for Los Blancos.

And he still uses them religiously to maintain his physique.

Standing in the chamber for around three minutes, liquid nitrogen freezes Ronaldo to between minus 160 and minus 200 degrees Celsius.

Cryotherapy beats muscle soreness and reduces swelling, inflammation or sprains.

Four hour workouts daily

You don't think he looks good just training for his club, do you?

When it comes to working out, Ronaldo does not do things in half measures.

Following a strict fitness plan, he will add 25-30 minutes of cardio, high-intensity sprinting and targeted weights to increase muscle strength to his daily routine.

Ronaldo is also a regular swimmer and the forward is obsessed with Pilates that focuses on resistance work to strengthen his core.

Incredibly, he will train three to four hours a day AFTER he's finished with his club.

Just ask former team-mate Patrice Evra who once revealed he hated going round to Ronaldo's for dinner, because after they ate he made him do an intense workout.

Plenty of daytime naps

Ronaldo likes his sleep and gets eight hours a night.

But that's on top of the five naps he takes during the day.

Speaking about rest, the Portuguese superstar said: "Proper sleep is really important for getting the most out of training.

"I go to bed early and get up early, especially before matches. Sleep helps muscles recover which is really important."

Painting his toenails

After a busy week in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo recently let his hair down in a sauna.

Sharing the image on social media, he sported black painted toenails.

It is not the first time the Al Nassr forward has done this either, with followers also drawn to his feet when he was pictured with UFC fighter Francis Ngannou earlier this year.

However, there is a perfect valid reason why Ronaldo does this.

According to German publication Bild, many athletes paint their toes to avoid fungi and bacteria infections.

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They claimed: "Many top athletes do this to protect their nails from fungi and bacteria when they are stuck in sweaty shoes for hours. Even Mike Tyson."

It's another factor in what makes Ronaldo one of the GOAT.