Here's why Cristiano Ronaldo paints his toenails black and it's 'strictly professional'

Legendary athletes know every aspect of their sport, from skills and etiquette to hacks and tricks that enhance their health and performance. For Portugal footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, fans have been curious about one particular habit: painting his toenails black. According to Give Me Sport, this peculiar practice has puzzled many fans. Recently titled the “All-time Champion” for assists in Euros 2024, Ronaldo has a professional and practical reason for painting his toenails black.

The question has been on fans’ minds since 2016 after several snapshots of the footballer revealed his bare toes in black nail paint. @PaddyPower shared a post in 2016 on X with the caption, “Cristiano Ronaldo has taken some time this summer to paint his toenails.” Over the years, fans have spotted his painted toenails in several posts and stories shared over social media. Another fan, @thfcNP, had shared a picture from the athlete’s Instagram story and asked, “Why does Ronaldo have black toenails?”

The viral picture was from the 2016 European Championship in France, where Ronaldo was seen relaxing in a sauna with his black-painted toenails. This practice continues today. A recent picture shows Ronaldo relaxing on his sofa during vacation with his painted toenails visible. Several fans commented out of curiosity about his recent “fashion” statement. @sburtonfullick wrote, “Looking awesome and loving your painted toenails.” @lisa.klien11 exclaimed, “Is this nail polish on your toes?” @cainweareliving asked, “Why is his toenail color black?” @fortvratskheklia remarked, “What? Your foot’s fingers!”

While many assumed different reasons like identity, lifestyle and so on, the star had done the same strictly for his professional requirements, as reported by Bild. An X user, “Keewee,” shared that Ronaldo and several other players opted to paint their toenails black. However, this has nothing to do with their fashion sense or to mark their identity or preferences in any way. The user mentioned, “Many top athletes do it to protect their nails from fungi and bacteria when they are in sweaty shoes for hours. Even Mike Tyson. But it’s wonderful to see how fragile masculinity is here.”

Playing 90-minute games regularly with minimal breaks, along with hardcore training, has its cons. Ronaldo is known for his rigorous exercise and disciplined routine involving outdoor activity. The nail paint adds a protective layer to the toenail and obstructs the bacteria of fungi produced due to sweat and other reasons, per The Daily Mail. Apart from Ronaldo and Tyson, several athletes rely on black nail paint for similar reasons. UFC and MMA fighters also paint their nails for similar scientific reasons. While it is an added practice to maintain hygiene and health, some also state that it is one step ahead in professionalism and determination.