Cristiano Ronaldo was offered a brutal insight into the life of an ageing athlete this week, when he missed Al-Nassr‘s Asian Champions League tie against Al-Duhail on Tuesday because of fatigue.

Al-Nassr head coach Luis Castro stressed that the Portuguese needed to recuperate from the exertions of recent matches.

‘Cristiano Ronaldo will not participate in the Al-Duhail match because he is tired due to his many participations,’ he said.

Cristiano Ronaldo was rested for Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League fixture against Al-Duhail

Al-Nassr head coach Luis Castro insisted Ronaldo needs to rest after recent matches

‘I know that there are those who want to see him, but he needs to rest. He is not ready, but we have many stars.

‘I did not decide to exclude the legend Cristiano Ronaldo, but his capabilities decided that.

‘Because 48 hours ago he played a match, and before that he played 120 minutes.’

In normal circumstances, resting a 38-year-old to allow him to recover from a gruelling schedule would hardly be newsworthy.

Except that Ronaldo isn’t a normal 38-year-old athlete.

The Portuguese is a notoriously dedicated trainer and follows a strict regime

Tests carried out earlier this year found Ronaldo had the body of an athlete 14 years his junior

Ronaldo supplements squad training sessions with a personal workout plan.

His five weekly trips to the gym include 25-30 minutes of cardio, high-intensity sprinting and targeted weights to increase muscle strength.

In total, he works out for three to four hours a day and the results are there for all to see.

The former Manchester United star remains outrageously toned for someone two years short of his 40th birthday and tests carried out earlier this year found he had the body of an athlete 14 years his junior, with seven per cent body fat — the average footballer’s is 11 — and 50 per cent muscle mass.

‘Fit in exercise wherever you can,’ he said back in 2015 when he delved into his ‘top 15 health and fitness tips’ he follows.

Ronaldo’s five weekly trips to the gym include 25-30 minutes of cardio, high-intensity sprinting and targeted weights to increase muscle strength

Ronaldo works out for three to four hours a day on top of his team training sessions

The Al-Nassr star has cited dedication and making his workouts part of a daily routine as the reason why he remains in incredible shape

‘You can do an abs workout in your bedroom when you wake up in the morning or before you go to bed. If you get into a routine then it makes it easier as it will become a habit.’

But even the best training regimes would be futile without the commitment to follow them regularly.

Ronaldo is also notoriously meticulous about his food and follows a very healthy diet

From ‘magical’ chicken, a strict napping schedule and at-home cryotherapy – Mail Sport examines the health hacks that have helped Ronaldo to enjoy a long career at the top level

Ronaldo has played at least 30 games in a season since turning professional back in 2002, only falling short of reaching the 40-appearance threshold in his debut campaign and over the last two seasons.

Ronaldo previously said sleeping is key to muscle recovery; he has five 90-minute naps a day

Ronaldo continues to have a gruelling schedule as he remains a key player for club and country