Antony, once a colleague of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, has detailed a revealing encounter in a sauna where the Portuguese superstar, then nearing 40, jested about his own physique and inquired about Antony's apparent age. This interaction, described by Antony as a glimpse into Ronaldo's everyday persona beyond his public image, occurred during Antony's tenure at Old Trafford, a period he now acknowledges as "complicated."
Ronaldo reportedly made light of perceptions of arrogance, portraying himself as "very playful" in private settings. During the sauna session, Ronaldo apparently displayed his own musculature and humorously questioned Antony, "if I looked 23 years old." This moment highlights Ronaldo's intense dedication to maintaining his physical condition, a fact Antony admits left him "embarrassed" given the level of care Ronaldo, even at an advanced age, applied to his body.
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The former Manchester United player, whose own spell at the club has been described as a "flop" and whose career has seen him move on to Real Betis, shared these recollections. Ronaldo, known for his stringent training regimens and specific dietary habits, has frequently showcased his physique in social media posts, particularly following such sessions. These images, often shared around his birthday or after training, invariably draw attention to his sustained physical prowess well into his late thirties and early forties.
Ronaldo's commitment to his physical form has been a constant theme throughout his career, with reports detailing workouts spanning several hours daily and adherence to high-protein diets. Even in his early forties, such as in a December 2025 social media post, he was observed flaunting a "ripped body" after a sauna, reinforcing his reputation for extraordinary self-discipline. This emphasis on physical maintenance has been a hallmark of his professional life, distinguishing him even among elite athletes.
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The dynamic between Ronaldo and his teammates at Manchester United was not always portrayed as uniformly positive. Reports from January 2025 suggested instances of Ronaldo appearing "exasperated" with certain teammates during his second stint at the club, with frustrations allegedly extending to players like Harry Maguire. This contrasts with Antony's more recent account, which emphasizes a lighter, albeit physically revealing, interaction.
Antony's own career trajectory since leaving Manchester United has been marked by varying fortunes, including a recent clash with Real Betis fans after a match where his team surrendered a lead. His time at Old Trafford, where he was initially hailed as a significant signing, was characterized by inconsistency, a stark departure from the unwavering physical standards set by Ronaldo, whom he now recalls with a mixture of awe and perhaps a touch of retrospective self-awareness regarding his own physique.
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