Most soccer fans remember Ronaldo as a lethal goal scorer who attacked the defense with the speed of greased lightning. But the Brazilian soccer legend has packed on the pounds in recent years.
Ronaldo is now ready to address his weight, and legions of fans will be able to watch him do it.
The three-time FIFA Player of the Year will appear on the popular television show Fantastico, where cameras will document his efforts to slim down. He believes that performing in public will help him achieve his goals, according to Metro.
“Maybe if I didn’t have the pressure of everybody watching me trying to lose weight then I wouldn’t be able to do it,” he said. “I will work hard, be persistent and not give up until I reach my recommended weight. I want people to be inspired by me.”
The 36-year-old weighed in at a whopping 261 pounds — a far cry from his days as a player for Brazil, FC Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan and Real Madrid.
In recent years, Ronaldo has suffered from a thyroid problem, which makes him have problems with his weight. The retired star hopes that starring in his own version of Celebrity Fit Club will help him shine in a charity soccer game organized by French icon Zinedine Zidane later this year, according to Sambafoot.
“I have problems with the weighing scales,” Sambafoot reports Ronaldo told Globo. “It’s a real trauma. I have already tackled many challenges and this will not be easy.
“Those who have tried to lose weight know that. But I am getting on with it with high spirits.
“I have a game against Zidane’s friends in Porto Alegre [Brazil] in December and I want to be ready for it. That’s the big challenge.”
The first episode in which Ronaldo appears will air this weekend. Viewers will be able to track his progress for the next three months.
Watch Ronaldo take an introductory physical in the video below.
Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
