Brazilian Football Star Admits He Nearly Died After Copying Ronaldo’s Diet

• Cristiano Ronaldo's optimal physical shape is down to a strict fitness regime
• Brazilian professional footballer Gabriel Menino tried to follow Ronaldo's path
• Menino eventually failed in his attempt to copy the 38-year-old Al-Nassr captain

Gabriel Menino has opened up on his harrowing experience when he tried copying Cristiano Ronaldo's strict fitness regime.

Despite being on the wrong side of age, Cristiano remains one of the most physically dominant players in the world as a result of exercise, diet, and rest.

His powerfully built figure makes him an ideal role model worth emulating by most athletes.

It appears the 38-year-old's fitness regime is not cut for everyone as versatile Palmeiras midfielder Gabriel Menino confessed of the difficulty in copying Ronaldo.

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The Brazilian midfielder who plays for Palmeiras revealed he felt he was "going to die" after he tried the diet observed by the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward.

Menino copies Ronaldo's diet

With the assistance of Palmeiras' nutritionist Mirtes, the 22-year-old went on a path he quickly regretted, GOAL reports.

According to him, he took an egg and supplement for breakfast. Pre-workout was a supplement, lunch could be grilled and salad.

Supplements once more before training, in the afternoon and before going to bed, grilled fish or meat and salad for lunch and dinner.

How did Menino feel after copying Ronaldo

"I was warming up, and all I could think was 'I'm going to die'. Five minutes into the game, I couldn't run any more, I needed to be substituted," he explained as quoted by MARCA.

Fortunately for Menino, the worst did not happen as a swift intervention by Palmeiras' nutritionist and masseur averted danger by helping him consume an isotonic drink and applying a cooling gel.

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Ronaldo's influence on Al-Nassr

While Menino was not able to last long under Ronaldo's strict regime, the Portuguese ace has been credited for dramatically transforming the Al-Nassr dressing room, Sports Brief previously reported.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is still lightning quick, He is considered one of the strongest around and is able to leap to incredible heights, per the Sun.

Ronaldo is able to achieve all this through exercise, diet, and rest. This has inspired most of his teammates to step up their physical condition by following Ronaldo's path.