His big secret, this is Cristiano Ronaldo's favorite food

While known for his rigorous fitness regime and luxurious lifestyle, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has a soft spot for a classic Portuguese dish: Bacalhau à Brás. Despite his strict diet, monitored closely by nutritionists, the Al-Nassr forward has publicly declared his love for this hearty cod dish.

Bacalhau à Brás, a traditional Portuguese recipe, is a flavorful combination of salted cod, shredded potatoes, onion, and scrambled eggs. Although it is quite calorific, packing around 500 calories, Ronaldo admits to indulging in this dish on special occasions, especially when sharing meals with his family. In fact, his mother, Dolores Aveiro, has confirmed that Bacalhau à Brás is her son's favorite meal.

"Cristiano not only devours soups and grilled fish. Cristiano Ronaldo also loves one of the star dishes of Portuguese cuisine, the tasty bacalhau 'à brás', and avoids prepared food," revealed former Portuguese national team chef Hélio Loureiro nine years ago.

The dish, also known as 'bacalhau dorado' or 'bacalhau à lisboeta', has its origins in Lisbon's historic Barrio Alto. Legend has it that in the 1930s, a tavern owner named Brás would repurpose leftover cod to create a savory scramble with onion, eggs, and parsley. Later, potatoes were added to the recipe.

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Beyond his love for Portuguese cuisine, Ronaldo also has a penchant for Italian food, particularly risotto. Just a few days ago, he posted a photo on Instagram outside his favorite Italian restaurant in Madrid, TOTO, which he also co-owns.

While Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the most physically fit athletes in the world, his love for hearty, traditional dishes shows that even the greatest athletes enjoy their indulgences. His passion for Bacalhau à Brás is a reminder that a balanced diet can include the occasional treat.