The real reason behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s black painted toenails—and it’s not just a style statement

It is 2025, and men in nail polish is hardly a novelty. From Karan Johar turning up at parties with inky fingertips to global stars like Bad Bunny and Marc Jacobs painting theirs in bold hues, manicures and pedicures have crossed the gender divide with ease. Nail polish, in particular, has transformed from a rebellious accessory to a tool of self-expression, grooming, and sometimes, practicality too.

Case in point: Cristiano Ronaldo. When his engagement photos with Georgina Rodríguez surfaced, eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed one detail: his black toenails, which immediately sent social media into a frenzy. Was one of the world’s biggest athletes embracing a fashion-forward moment, joining the ranks of Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt’s dark nail era?

While the cultural shift toward men’s beauty certainly frames the moment, it turns out Ronaldo’s polish has less to do with trends and more to do with training.

Despite what one might believe, the black polish on Ronaldo's toenails has more to do with athletic preparation rather than personal style.

Elite athletes like Ronaldo are constantly at risk of fungal infections, cracks, or injuries due to the stress their feet endure during training and high-intensity matches. A layer of polish, especially in darker shades, actually works as a protective barrier that hardens the nails, minimises exposure to bacteria, and reduces damage. Martial artists, swimmers, and fighters have all done it before. For Ronaldo, whose game depends on precision and agility, every layer of protection counts—even if it comes in the form of glossy black polish.

Still, the detail cannot be separated entirely from the larger fashion narrative. In an era where gendered boundaries around beauty are dissolving, Ronaldo’s painted nails also serve as an unintentional nod to the growing movement of men embracing grooming and aesthetics outside the traditional rulebook. And when someone as universally admired as Ronaldo sports polish—even for practical reasons—it reinforces the idea that polish, like jewellery or haircuts, belongs to everyone.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s black toenails are proof that performance and personal expression can intersect in the unlikeliest of places. What some first saw as a style flex turned out to be a calculated choice for health and protection, but it also lands in a moment where men confidently experiment with beauty without hesitation.

Lead Image: Getty Images

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