Raphael Varane reveals secret behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible longevity in football
On Thursday, February 13, 2025, former France international Raphael Varane shared insights into the secret of Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable longevity in football. According to Varane, the Portuguese star’s sustained success on the field is largely due to his substantial investments in both physical and mental health.
Varane, who played alongside Ronaldo at both Real Madrid and Manchester United, highlighted the dedication and willpower Ronaldo has demonstrated throughout his career.
In an interview with French news outlet L’Equipe, Varane explained, “Firstly, he has an extraordinary physique. More importantly, he understood very young, very early on, that he needed to invest in his body to achieve his ambitions.”
He continued, “He invested a lot of money throughout his career in his care, physically, mentally, and in performance research. That’s the big difference with many high-level athletes: he did it from the start of his career when he was at Manchester United.”
Ronaldo, now 40, has long been regarded as one of the best players to ever represent Real Madrid, having scored 450 goals and provided 131 assists in 438 appearances for the club. His time at Manchester United was also marked by impressive statistics, with 145 goals and 64 assists in 346 games.
Although his age has slowed him down, Ronaldo continues to play professionally with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, showcasing the fruits of his dedication to fitness and performance.
