When Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, the Arab club’s leaders told the tale about wanting the Portuguese ace to improve the league and the level of football in that country. At the time, we were a little sceptical about it all, labelling the transfer as nothing more than a money-grabbing exercise. But we were wrong. At least a little. Ronaldo is transforming the overall health of Al-Nassr.His new club has already changed their ways due to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s arrival. Al Nassr’s nutritionist, Jose Blesa, says everyone at the club is doing their best to use Ronaldo’s knowledge and experience.”I was uncertain, like everyone else, about what it would be like to work with Cristiano and if the club would change a lot. But I haven’t seen a more professional footballer than him. Every conversation with him is a learning curve. We met and talked about his diet, about how he understands the importance of this and rest for performance.”Jose Bellisa (Nutritionist at Al Nassr):”Since Cristiano Ronaldo started training with Al Nassr, every player at the club has been training more intensively and following a strict diet.” pic.twitter.com/vvwcammol6— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) February 20, 2023 For everyone who believes Ronaldo has gone to the Middle East to relax and count his money, then insight from Blesa will reassure them.”Ronaldo is the first to arrive at training and the last to leave. Dealing with him is wonderful. Cristiano helps me a lot because we can no longer teach him anything, but he creates a school around him. The rest of the players do what he does because everything he does is wonderful to improve his performance.”According to the club’s nutritionist, all the players have upped their level of commitment to training since Ronaldo’s arrival. As a result, the entire squad is now fitter.”I have not seen a club like this in which the players improve practically 90 per cent in their body composition every time I see them: they have less fat, more muscle, and do all the exercises at their fingertips. It is a luxury to work there.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7047960##The former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar is well-known for his strict diet, but even him has days when he relaxes a little. He likes to treat himself to bacalhau, a traditional Portuguese dish made up of dried and salted cod fish, served with potatoes, onions, hard-boiled eggs, olives and olive oil. Sometimes, very seldom, he indulges himself in his favourite “bad” meal – steak with potatoes and fried eggs.But Ronaldo isn’t just about dieting and training. He’s been excellent on the pitch as well. He scored five goals in four appearances for the Riyadh club – including a four-goal haul against Al-Wehda earlier this month. Al-Nassr top the Saudi Pro League table and are on course to win their tenth national title.Cristiano Ronaldo has been celebrating Saudi Founding Day with his new teammates today 👏Fully integrated into the culture and enjoying life… 🙌🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/hbMYOqxZdE— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 22, 2023 Outside the football pitch, CR7 is also doing his best to immerse himself in Saudi culture. On Wednesday, he wore a traditional robe as the country celebrated Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day. In images shared by the Saudi Pro League club, a smiling Ronaldo could be seen marking the kingdom’s founding by Imam Mohammed bin Saud in February 1727. This is the second time that Founding Day has been held in Saudi Arabia, after King Salman bin Abdulaziz announced in January last year that the anniversary would be celebrated every 22 February.
