Cristiano Ronaldo’s former chef reveals star’s eating secrets and the young player he now wants to develop, nutritionally

A candid interview with Cristiano Ronaldo’s former personal chef has offered rare insight into the discipline behind elite performance, while also casting doubt on whether the Portugal icon will feature at the next World Cup.

Speaking to Covers.com, Giorgio Barone did not shy away from the uncertainty. “I think Cristiano too. I don’t know if he will be part of the World Cup,” he admitted, before adding, “I think Álvaro Morata will be there.”

“Absolutely no sugar”: the routine behind Ronaldo’s longevity

Barone described a daily structure built on strict control. “Cristiano Ronaldo’s diet is balanced. He eats a little bit of everything but it’s always healthy,” he explained.

Breakfast sets the tone: “an avocado with coffee, eggs and no sugar. Absolutely no sugar.” That principle extends throughout the day. Lunch is “chicken, fish and always vegetables,” while carbohydrates are handled differently. “If he needs carbohydrates, he gets them through vegetables, so doesn’t need anything made with flour. Nothing like pasta, bread.”

Dinner remains light and functional. “In the evening, he eats light foods, usually fish or meat in the form of fillet. It’s always accompanied by vegetables.”

“It is against nature”: the strong stance on dairy

The former chef’s most striking claim concerns dairy. “No milk. Humans are the only animals that drink the milk of other animals,” he said. “Only human beings continue to drink milk up to 30, 40, 50, 60 years and in my view it is wrong.”

Instead, he suggests alternatives: “You can add almond milk, oat milk or rice milk.” Even his own habits reflect that philosophy. “I drink coffee with no milk or sugar. Very bitter!”

Life on the move: “It’s really drastic”

Barone also opened up on the realities of working with top-level players, including Theo Hernández and his brother Lucas.

“The hardest thing about working with footballers is the travel,” he said. “You can’t have a family and often you have to miss parties or family celebrations.” The constant movement is demanding. “Last year I was in Milan… then had to go to Riyadh… so it’s really drastic.”

Still, he acknowledges the upside. “The salary is different to working in a restaurant… and you meet lots of wonderful people. Plus you get to see matches.”

“60% diet, 40% training”: the formula for future stars

Looking ahead, Barone singled out Lamine Yamal as a player he would “love to work with,” stressing the importance of guidance for young talents.

“They feel very lonely and need company,” he said, pointing to the pressures of leaving home early. His philosophy is clear: “I always say the importance is 60% diet and 40% training. The human body is like a car. You can have the best car in the world but if you put the wrong fuel in the engine it is going to struggle.”

Haaland’s diet earns praise, with one exception

Barone also assessed Erling Haaland’s eating habits. “The liver, heart and brain are all healthy foods. They are superfoods,” he said. “Cristiano liked liver too.”

But one element does not get approval. “For the organs, I approve – but not for the milk.”

Barone’s words offer a revealing mix of admiration, conviction, and caution. The message is consistent: what players eat shapes everything. The uncertainty, however, remains – whether one of the game’s greatest figures will take part in football’s biggest stage once again.

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