Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Man Utd misfit Rojo enjoys on-pitch picnic that would make Ronaldo weep

mirror.co.uk, 23 May 2022, 13:50
Former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo indulged himself on the pitch after tasting cup success with Boca Juniors over the weekend as he let his hair down Marcos Rojo smoked a cigarette on the pitch after Boca Juniors success

The life of a professional future is filled with huge pressures and expectations.

Not just to perform and win regularly while being scrutinised by tens of thousands of fans, but to discipline yourself away from the pitch in order to maintain your top physique and fitness levels. Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo's strict diet and fitness routine is an insight into the level of dedication and sacrifice required to stay at the top level.

With this in mind, it should not come as a great shock that footballers let their hair down a little at the culmination of a demanding campaign and when enjoying success. Former United defender Marcos Rojo did not hold back when enjoying Boca Juniors winning the Professional League Cup on Sunday after beating Tigre 3-0.

The 32-year-old joined the Argentine giants last year after ending his seven-year stint at Old Trafford and revelled in their success over the weekend. Rojo endulged himself on several fronts that would have had the jaws of sports dieticians on the floor.

While on the pitch in his full kit, Rojo ate a pizza, enjoyed a can of Quilmes beer before smoking a cigarette. The defender - who had won the Argentine Cup last year with the club - did not appear to be fazed by his actions nor mind too much that these actions were inevitably going to be filmed by TV footage.

Rojo, who had been reprimanded at Old Trafford for his smoking habit having been photographed puffing on a cigarette outside a nightclub, then went to Instagram to publish a photo of Michael Jordan puffing on a cigar after adding to his collection of silverware with basketball side Chicago Bulls - which the defender posted alongside several laughing emojis.

Have Your Say! Should footballers be allowed to smoke without condemnation? Tell us what you think here.

Last year, Rojo was handed a huge ban and a fine for his part in a tunnel brawl after Boca Juniors' controversial Copa Libertadores exit. The defender could be seen grabbing a fire extinguisher off a wall as Boca players attempted to storm the Atletico Mineiro dressing room following a game back in July. The former United defender was banned for five games and fined around £18,300.

Of course, smoking and drinking was not unusual for may top-level footballers in days gone by but the increased awareness of the adverse health impacts of the habits have seen most professional athletes either scale back or eradicate them altogether. No footballer is a better example of this than United star Ronaldo.

A huge factor in how the 37-year-old continues to operate at the highest level - and his confidence that he can play into his 40s - is his strict, specific diet which allows him to eat up to six times a day. The superstar has always received plenty of praise and plaudits for his strength, speed and all-round physicality throughout his career but it has become more regular and impressive the older he gets.

Some of Ronaldo's favourites meals include a Portuguese stew called Bacalhau, consisting of salt cod and eggs, a dish that is thought to have gone down well with his United teammates. The Portuguese star is also a big fan of his proteins with slices of ham, eggs and avocados among the foods that keep popping up in his meals.

The Portuguese will have cheese and ham and low-fat yoghurt for breakfast, followed by two lunches. The first will consist of chicken and salad, while the second will be based around tuna, olives, egg and tomato. Two dinners of fresh swordfish and salad, followed by steak and calamari, will round off the day.

Furthermore, Ronaldo has avoided alcohol at all costs - becoming teetotal in 2005 following the alcohol-related death of his father, while he has never smoked. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is a big believer that resting and sleeping is a big part of living a healthy lifestyle, and will sleep for a minimum of eight hours every night and attempts to nap during the day.

While Ronaldo is an extreme example of a relentless health and fitness plan, the reaction to Rojo's latest discretions are an indicator into the expectations that many supporters and club employees hold players to.

Top News

7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly among three Premier League clubs interested in signing Brest left-back Bradley Locko. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their pursuit to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that goalkeeper Andriy Lunin will start for Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be missing just one first-team player for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund have progressed to the Champions League final after beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One week on from an engrossing 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich reunite for the return fixture at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have confirmed that Thiago Silva will leave the club to join Fluminense at the end of the season. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jose Mourinho reportedly wants to replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager this summer. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to sell Emerson Royal for £20m during this summer's transfer window. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With one foot in the Europa League final, unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen host Roma on Thursday evening, as they conclude their semi-final tie at the BayArena. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A place in the Europa League final will be at stake when Atalanta BC welcome Marseille to Bergamo on Thursday, with their semi-final tie finely poised after last week's first leg. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly taken a difference stance regarding the future of one of their defenders. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Four Premier League giants have reportedly joined the race for Club Brugge attacker Antonio Nusa this summer. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have failed with their appeal against a four-point deduction for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly decided against sacking manager Erik ten Hag ahead of this month's FA Cup final versus Manchester City. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit, Aston Villa travel to Piraeus to lock horns with Olympiacos in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday night. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The 2023-24 campaign has almost drawn to a close and clubs across the world will soon be shifting their attention towards the summer transfer window. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk It is as you were in terms of the Premier League title race following this weekend's enthralling action, as Arsenal earned a 3-0 triumph over Bournemouth to remain one point clear at the top of the standings. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Euro 2024 is nearly upon us and one of the tournament favourites England will soon be gearing up for their opening group-stage fixture against Serbia on June 16. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The 17th edition of the European Championships is nearly upon us, with host nation Germany and 23 other teams competing for continental glory this summer. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool reportedly have no plans to entertain the sale of Darwin Nunez during the summer transfer window. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a goalkeeper currently competing in La Liga as a potential upgrade on Robert Sanchez. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid and Bayern Munich do battle in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A place in the 2023-24 Champions League final is up for grabs when Real Madrid play host to Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semi-final clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. 7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The agent of Barcelona forward Vitor Roque has suggested his client will seek a permanent move if he fails to secure regular playing time. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Real Madrid forward Joselu. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United equalled an unwanted defensive record in the heavy 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham and Ipswich Town are reportedly both interested in signing Coventry City midfielder Ben Sheaf this summer. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace completed their first-ever Premier League double over Manchester United in astonishing style as they decimated the woeful Red Devils 4-0 at Selhurst Park.
Sat 11 May, 16:00
A
Napoli Napoli
-
sch
Bologna Bologna
Sun 12 May, 10:30
A
Lazio Lazio
-
sch
Empoli Empoli