When Cristiano Ronaldo attended President Donald Trump's glittering Washington gala on Tuesday night, the international football superstar found himself in rarefied company among billionaires, business magnates and Saudi royalty.
From Old Trafford to Oval Office
Just hours before the DC event, the sporting icon had secured a private audience in the Oval Office with the man he recently described as 'one of the guys who can make things happen.' This marked a world away from the street fans who clamour for his attention or the locker room camaraderie he once knew.
The confident figure who walked through the White House's East Room bore little resemblance to the spotty teenager who first appeared at Manchester United back in 2003. Ronaldo himself once confessed he arrived at Old Trafford 'small' and 'feeble' at age 18, but the now-40-year-old presents a completely different picture.
His fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, who paraded ahead of him displaying her stunning $3 million engagement ring, is nine years his junior. Yet Ronaldo appeared barely older than his partner, showcasing the remarkable preservation of his youthfulness.
The Physical Transformation
According to Dr Elie Levine, one of New York City's top plastic surgeons, Ronaldo has likely undergone multiple procedures to achieve his current appearance. Although Dr Levine hasn't personally examined the footballer, he identifies 'significant changes' in before-and-after photos.
The surgeon believes Ronaldo's nasal bridge appears more refined, with considerably narrowed side walls, suggesting possible rhinoplasty involving cartilage work and bone restructuring. His smile transformation is particularly striking - from crowded, gapped teeth with discoloration during his early United days to the perfect veneers he displays today.
Dr Levine suggests Ronaldo may have addressed his previously gummy smile through Botox combined with veneers or possibly surgical procedures to reduce the upper gum area. His flawless forehead and absence of crow's feet indicate likely Botox treatments, while his maintained cheekbone volume could point to fillers or fat transfer procedures.
Maintaining the Machine
Ronaldo's dedication extends far beyond potential cosmetic enhancements. The Portuguese international maintains an intense fitness regime involving up to four hours daily in the gym, five days per week. His training incorporates high-intensity interval training, sprinting and cycling, often accompanied by his partner Georgina or son Cristiano Jr.
His nutritional discipline is equally impressive, completely avoiding sugar, carbonated drinks and alcohol while fuelling his body with chicken, fish and fresh vegetables. Ronaldo even employs unconventional sleep patterns, favouring five 90-minute cycles to mimic his body's natural rhythms.
The footballer's recovery methods include cryotherapy chambers at home and $5,400 cryo compression boots, which he showcased on Instagram ahead of his 40th birthday in February. This comprehensive approach to physical maintenance has helped secure his five Ballon d'Or awards and continues to support his career with Saudi side Al-Nassr.
Dr Levine estimates the total cost of Ronaldo's alleged procedures could range from $100,000 to $250,000, noting that the footballer's gradual approach over many years distinguishes him from other celebrities who attempt dramatic transformations in shorter timeframes.
