Arnold Schwarzenegger, the actor and former professional bodybuilder, has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo’s impressive physical condition has helped him reach the top of his game.
The 28-year-old Portugal star has started this campaign in imperious form, scoring 12 goals in just 10 games, as Real Madrid sit third in La Liga, five points behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid. He has kept up the goalscoring form for his nation too, and scored a hat trick last month as Portugal defeated Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier.
Speaking to COPE ahead of the 2013 Arnold Classic, a bodybuilding competition that takes place in Madrid this year, Schwarzenegger said that along with the undoubted skill and talent Ronaldo has, his physicality has helped him become one of the best players in the world.
The star of ‘Conan the Barbarian’ and ‘The Terminator’ said: “He has a fantastic physique. He has some great abs – he looks spectacular. He looks to be in great shape, so it is clear he’s a great footballer.”
But Schwarzenegger, who is also a former governor of California, added Ronaldo probably isn’t interested in winning the Mr Olympia competition, a professional bodybuilding competition that the Austrian won on seven occasions.
He stated: “I don’t think he’d be interested in competing in a Mr Olympia. He is interested in being the best player in the world. I was interested in winning the Mr Olympia title. They are two different sports but there is no doubt he is in great shape.”
