CELEBRITY
RONALDO SWITCHES TO RUGBY STUDS TO GAIN SPRINTING ADVANTAGE
Ahead of the 20 June restart date of Italy’s Serie A, Juventus star player, Cristiano has been reported by Daily Mail to be using rugby studs in training.
Italian football is scheduled to return on June 20 after a three-month sporting lockdown and Ronaldo believes running in longer, wider rugby studs will enhance his performance on the pitch.
According to to Tuttosport, the 35-year-old has adapted his footwear to enable him to grip the turf and run faster in training before the final matches of the 2019-20 campaign.
It is believed the Portugal captain has been using boots with rubber studs rather than metal studs, supposedly allowing for improved flexibility and speed.
This ingenious method has also been trialled by Montpellier forward Andy Delort, helping the Frenchman reach speeds of 36.8km/h – a record in Ligue 1 this term.
Ronaldo has changed his approach to fitness and nutrition throughout his career, and a daily routine that includes six meals and five 90-minute naps has contributed towards his longevity.
Now he is looking to find a competitive edge as Juve bid to fend off Lazio and win their ninth Scudetto in succession.
Maurizio Sarri’s men are one point clear at the top of the table with 12 matches left to play, starting with a trip to Bologna on Monday, June 22.
Notably, Juve host Lazio on July 20 in their fifth from final game and play Roma at the Allianz Stadium on the final day of the season (July 2).
Meanwhile, the return date for Champions League football has not yet been confirmed. Juve are hoping to overturn a 1-0 first leg defeat when they take on Lyon in the round of 16 second leg.
CELEBRITY
Ronaldo reaches one billion followers on social media
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo crossed one billion followers across his social media accounts, aided by his newly-launched YouTube channel that has attracted more than 60 million subscribers in just over three weeks.
Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal last week to help Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League, is the first human being to reach a billion followers on social media, global media reports said.
“We’ve made history, one billion followers! This is more than just a number, it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo posted on X.
“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey… thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life.”
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player reached the milestone with over 639 million followers on Instagram, 170 million on Facebook and 113 million on X.
The 39-year-old topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes this year, with off-field earnings of $60 million, boosted by his large social media following.
Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr will host Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
-Reuters
CELEBRITY
Over a million subscribe as Ronaldo launches YouTube channel
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday and hundreds of thousands of subscribers signed up within a couple of hours.
The 39-year-old five-times Ballon D’Or winner plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
“The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on his social media accounts.
A couple of hours after posting his first video, 1.69M subscribers had joined he channel.
Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million on Facebook and 636 million on Instagram.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player is preparing for his team’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Raed on Thursday.
-Reuters
CELEBRITY
Lionel Messi set to hang boots
Inter Miami will be the last club Argentina captain Lionel Messi plays for, the 36-year-old forward said on Wednesday, adding he feels “a little bit scared” at the thought of the day he decides to retire.
Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, has a contract with the Major League Soccer side until 2025 following his arrival last summer after a spell with French champions Paris St Germain.
“Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything even more because I am aware that there is less and less left,” Messi told ESPN.
“I’m not ready to leave football. I’ve done this all my life, I love playing football, I enjoy training, the day-to-day, the matches… And yes, there’s always a little bit of fear that it’s all over.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is preparing with his national team to defend their Copa America title, with the tournament kicking off on June 20 in the United States.
Argentina will take on Canada in the opening match before facing Group A rivals Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.
-Reuters
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