Cristiano Ronaldo’s shirtless sauna photo with 7% body fat breaks the internet; Elon Musk jokes ‘need to work out’

Cristiano Ronaldo once again set social media abuzz after sharing a photo taken immediately following a sauna session. Wearing only underwear, slippers and a functional watch from his own brand, the 40-year-old football icon bared his chest, showcasing his sharply defined physique.

According to reports, Ronaldo’s recent body fat measurement stands at just 7 per cent—significantly lower than the 8–12 per cent typically maintained by Premier League players, making it all the more remarkable given his age.

Ronaldo’s physique is the result of extreme self-discipline and meticulous self-management. Beyond regular team training, he follows a personal fitness programme, working out for three to four hours daily. He visits the gym more than five times a week, incorporating Pilates and swimming into his routine. Each session includes 25–30 minutes of cardio, high-intensity sprints and targeted weight training.

His diet is equally rigorous. Rather than eating three large meals, Ronaldo follows a six-meal-a-day plan focused on high protein and low fat. He has famously described chicken as a “magical food.” His daily diet includes fish, avocado, salads, whole grains such as quinoa and fresh fruit. Portuguese media report that his favourite dish is Bacalhau à Brása traditional cod preparation with potatoes and eggs. Sugary drinks are strictly off the menu.

Ronaldo’s recovery routine is just as demanding. He practices polyphasic sleep, totalling seven and a half hours daily split into five 90-minute sessions—a method he adopted after consulting a sleep expert during his Real Madrid days. He also relies heavily on saunas, ice baths and cryotherapy, reportedly installing a personal cryotherapy chamber worth £50,000 at his home in 2021.

Despite recently telling broadcaster Piers Morgan that he may retire within the next one or two years, Ronaldo continues to pursue his ambitious goal of scoring 1,000 career goals, maintaining his intense regimen without compromise.

The viral sauna image also caught the attention of tech billionaire Elon Musk, who commented playfully, “Guess I need to work out.” The remark triggered a flood of memes, edits and AI-generated clips, with fans swapping Ronaldo’s face onto Musk’s body or portraying Musk dramatically revealing a hyper-muscular physique, jokingly dubbed “Elon muscle.”