In just a few hours, the most eagerly awaited sporting event of the past four years begins—the twenty-first edition of the FIFA World Cup. This year, Russia is hosting the spectacular sporting event. Without a doubt, the coming month will be exciting for all men. But alongside the brilliant action on the pitch, the footballers themselves will be largely responsible for the summer’s excitement. We’re sure many men want to look like these world-famous athletes, admiring not only their technique and skills, but also their physiques and stamina.
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But how do some of the most popular footballers competing for the World Cup 2018 keep in such great shape?
You might be surprised.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Without a doubt, one of the most popular footballers. The Real Madrid star takes to the pitch for Portugal. His compatriots are certainly counting on him more than anyone to lead them to sporting glory this summer. However much some men may dislike him, most women adore him. You have to admit that he puts a lot of effort into looking perfect. Ronaldo relies on intense cardio workouts to build stamina and coordination, and makes sure to include strength training at the gym. This helps him build strength in his body and legs while keeping all his muscles toned. The Portuguese footballer focuses on weight training, including barbell squats, deadlifts and bench presses. He alternates these with bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and burpees. Ronaldo also owes his perfect appearance to the strict diet he follows. He focuses on fish, meat and green salads. He believes in eating regularly, dividing his daily menu into six meals so his body is constantly fueled with energy for his many workouts.
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Leo Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo’s eternal rival. The two football legends compete not only on the pitch, but also for women’s hearts. The Barça star will be one of the most closely watched footballers by fans at World Cup 2018. Small in stature at first glance, Leo Messi shows excellent physical fitness in every match. He admits to focusing on high-intensity workouts that mainly develop his speed and agility. He also makes time for plyometric exercises. Messi isn’t a fan of heavy weight training, but when he works out at the gym, he sometimes does bench presses and barbell squats. The day before each match, Messi follows a strict diet that includes fish or chicken with boiled potatoes, green vegetables and fruit. This gives his body the energy and strength it needs to be ready for 90 minutes of play and recover easily afterward.
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Neymar
The Brazilian footballer is one of the most talked-about athletes we’ll see at this World Cup. The PSG striker doesn’t hide the fact that, alongside endless training on the football pitch, he also relies on strength exercises to develop every muscle in his body and maintain his perfect figure. Neymar trains with a personal trainer, who creates a special program for him. His focus includes deadlifts and overhead barbell lunges. These exercises work both the lower and upper body, targeting the shoulders and thighs. Neymar also does at least four sets of pull-ups and hanging leg raises with added weight on his legs to sculpt perfect abs. Although he admits he enjoys eating junk food, Neymar follows a high-carbohydrate diet designed by a nutritionist, consuming 2,600–3,300 calories a day. The star’s menu includes eggs, cheese, chicken and beef, brown rice, vegetables and fruit.
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Mohamed Salah
The Liverpool star focuses heavily on gym training to maintain his athletic physique and speed on the pitch. Salah plays for the Egyptian national team and is his country’s greatest hope of leading the team to a top finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. When he trains at the gym, Salah focuses on upper-body exercises to shape his back, arms and abs. The pec deck, bench press and dumbbell exercises are among the mainstays of his training program. Although he works his legs hard during matches, the Liverpool forward also makes time for lower-body training—leg presses, deadlifts and behind-the-neck barbell squats. Salah’s gym session ends with a few cardio intervals, varying the intensity and duration of his treadmill runs.
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Antoine Griezmann
The Frenchman will take to the pitch at the 2018 World Cup, aiming to win a prestigious victory for his country alongside his teammates. The Atlético Madrid forward is renowned for his impressive technique, speed and accuracy in front of goal. Griezmann trains hard to maintain his excellent physical condition. He also visits a fitness club with a personal trainer who guides him through his workouts. Griezmann’s specialized program combines cardio with strength exercises. He relies on the cable machine to shape his back. Griezmann also includes hyperextensions to strengthen his lower-back muscles. His leg workout includes squats, lunges and a few sets on the calf machine to further strengthen and shape his calves.
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Bonus tip:
One basic rule applies to all five World Cup stars: they combine gym training with a proper diet. None of them indulges in junk food; instead, they follow strict programs to stay in top shape on the pitch. That’s unlike many of their fans, who often snack on chips and drink beer while watching a match. We recommend swapping fried chips and fizzy beer for crispy potatoes baked in the oven without oil. That way, you can keep the spirit of football gatherings alive without consuming extra calories. And our advice is to be sure to hit the gym after the match and your snack.
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