Cristiano Ronaldo‘s pedicured secret has been hiding in plain sight for 15 years. When the 40-year-old posted a post-match recovery photo this spring, fans didn’t just marvel at his sculpted core or his relentless longevity—they noticed his feet.
More specifically, they zoomed in on his toenails, each one carefully coated in a smooth layer of black polish. The image went viral, spawning theories and memes, but what many failed to realize was that this wasn’t new. This was just the latest glimpse into a quiet routine that began at least as far back as a 2010 poolside paparazzi photo shoot in New York.
That photo, which showed a then-25-year-old Ronaldo on vacation, also revealed a curious detail—every toenail covered in dark lacquer. Over the years, more subtle sightings emerged. In locker room shots, training footage, and summer holiday snaps, the gloss reappeared. But it wasn’t until social media turned microscopic that fans collectively began to ask: why does the greatest goal scorer of his generation paint his toenails black?
The functional logic behind the polish
Ronaldo’s use of black polish isn’t a fashion statement. It’s a functional, even clinical, choice rooted in sports science and prevention. For decades, mixed-martial-arts fighters and combat athletes have painted their nails—fingernails and toenails alike—with toughening agents to reduce cracking and fight fungal infections. The idea is simple: a hardened surface protects the nail from repeated impact and keeps microbes from settling in.
According to German newspaper Bild, the rationale is straightforward: numerous elite athletes apply nail polish to guard against fungal and bacterial infections that can develop when their feet remain enclosed in damp, sweaty footwear for extended periods. They even mentioned that Mike Tyson used the same method.
It might sound trivial, but to a footballer, toenail health matters. Repeated stress from cutting, pivoting, and shooting puts enormous pressure on the feet. Thick polish acts like a seal, shielding the nail bed from moisture while redistributing force. Dermatologists have noted that nail polish, when used properly, can provide an added layer of protection against athlete’s foot, toenail fungus (onychomycosis), and even painful bruising known as “black-toe.”
For Ronaldo, who often trains multiple times a day and whose workload demands precise recovery, the polish isn’t aesthetic—it’s strategic. It’s a minor detail in a long list of micro-optimizations that also includes cryotherapy chambers, altitude tents, hyper-controlled diets, and personalized sleep routines.
He appears to have picked up the habit from friends in the fight game. In early 2023, he posed with UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou, visibly displaying the same inky pedicure. The implication was clear: this was no one-off. A 2016 beach holiday photo, a 2019 sauna selfie, and a recent gym photo from Saudi Arabia all showed the same polish—unchanged, consistent, and purposeful.
And he’s not the only one.
Mike Tyson was reportedly using the technique in the late stages of his boxing career. Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski continues to paint his toenails. Israel Adesanya has been seen with black polish as well. Among footballers, Neymar has drawn attention for a similar look during off-season workouts. Most footballers keep their socks and boots on around cameras, so such habits go largely unnoticed, but club podiatrists say the practice is gaining traction—particularly among veteran players whose feet have endured years of trauma.
What started as a trick borrowed from the cage is now quietly becoming a norm among elite athletes who understand that durability, not just peak performance, is the key to longevity.
To be clear, black toenail polish isn’t a magic shield. Podiatrists caution that nails should still be kept clean and dry, and polish should be removed and reapplied under hygienic conditions. Discoloration not caused by polish could signal more serious conditions and needs professional evaluation. Still, in a controlled environment, the benefits can outweigh the risks.
For Ronaldo, whose career has been defined by consistency and detail management, the payoff is obvious. His feet remain unblemished despite nearly 25 years of top-flight competition. And with each viral photo, he gives fans a small, unexpected window into his methodical world—one where even his toenails serve a purpose.
This isn’t vanity. It’s not branding. It’s another marginal gain in a career built on relentless refinement. One more invisible edge hardened into place. Small, opaque, and just as resilient as the man himself.
