Cristiano Ronaldo has been warned to cut out the pies after falling for tasty Brit grub.
The Portuguese star was knocked out when he discovered British treats like pie Â’n chips and fish suppers. And he admits he loves gorging on takeaways.
But Manchester United nutritionists have told the salad-dodging star that he is risking his waistline and career.
Ronaldo, 22, let slip his fondness for our traditional grub when he told a Portuguese mag: “I am fortunate to be able to dine in the best restaurants and have a glass of expensive wine, but there is also the English takeaway. “I dated a girl from Manchester and she showed me that steak pies and chips are very good.
“But I have to be careful. The club do not want me to eat too much of this food because it would not be good for my game. “They have told me they do not want me gaining any extra weight.” Like all his team-mates, Ronaldo is on a rigid diet of mainly chicken, fish and pasta – and must report what “treats” he has eaten every week.
“Stuff like pies and chips aren’t the fuel for superstar athletes,” said a club source. “Now and again is fine – they can get away with a little diversion from their eating programme. “But the days are long gone when players prepared for matches with haddock and chips and bottles of brown ale.
“We do find, however, that many overseas players will sample our standard fare out of curiosity because the chances are they don’t eat it in their homelands.”
And when he eats out in restaurants with pals, Ronny reckons his favourite dish is a medium-rare steak, side salad – and just a few chips.