Cristiano Ronaldo’s personal chef gave an insight into his notorious diet, saying the star eats veal, avocados, and black rice, and likes his food cooked in coconut oil

• Cristiano Ronaldo's former personal chef says the new Manchester United forward treats his body like a Ferrari.
• The chef said the Portuguese forward lives on a diet of fish, eggs and black rice and drinks plenty of purified water.
• Ronaldo has played 1,075 competitive games and is known to be a strong health and fitness advocate.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger to taking his jersey off during a goal celebration and it is clear he puts in a lot of effort to achieve that physique he is so eager to show.

Away from the many hours he spends in the gym and on the training pitch, a crucial part of his fitness regime is his diet.

Now his former personal chef has spoken of what the new Manchester United forward eats.

According to Giorgio Barone, who spoke to the Sunday Mirror, Ronaldo's go-to-meals involve fish, lean protein dishes, whole grains and salads – similar to what Insider's Barnaby Lane ate while attempting to recreate Ronaldo's diet earlier this year.

Barone, who was a live-in chef for Ronaldo while the player was at Juventus, described how the 36-year-old stayed in peak physical condition.

"There are no expensive foods but healthy foods," Barone told the newspaper. "I use organic and natural foods - fish, chicken, veal, eggs, avocado, coconut oil and black rice.

"You have to take care of your body as if taking care of a Ferrari."

Ronaldo is famed for his high level of fitness and has played in 1,075 competitive games over his 19-year career.

The longest injury he has ever suffered during that time was an ankle problem when he was a Manchester United player in 2008, causing him to miss 11 matches.

He reportedly eats six meals a day and takes five 90-minute naps a day in order to stay at peak fitness, more than most people could manage.

Barone told the Mirror he cooks everything in coconut oil, which he says helps to burn fat and improve cholesterol. Such claims are largely unproven.

"I cook using coconut oil. It is also imp­­ortant to drink plenty of water - but purified. And drink a lot.

A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

"Of course, it's all combined with hard training. But rest is as fundamental as training and nutrition - including in the afternoon. And eating early in the evening, not late," the chef said.

Ronaldo is somewhat notorious for his healthy lifestyle, and made headlines during this summer's Euro 2020 tournament when he removed a bottle of Coca-Cola from a desk in front of him during a press conference and told people to drink water instead.