Why does Cristiano Ronaldo usually wear long sleeves while playing?
Why does Cristiano Ronaldo usually wear long sleeves while playing?
Why does Cristiano Ronaldo usually wear long sleeves while playing?Charles Curtis, For The WinThu, Jul 2, 2026·1 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo is an absolute soccer legend, one of the all-time greats who has won at almost every level. But there's a question some might have about the Portugal superstar: Why does he always wear long sleeves for games?
This is something I've been wondering myself, so I took a tour around the interwebs to see if I could find an answer. And the answer is: There isn't a definitive answer. And it's kind of wild to wear long sleeves in the middle of the 2026 World Cup when the weather in North America is sweltering.
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Some possibilities: It might be a good luck or comfort move. It could be that the sleeves keep his muscles warm during a game. Perhaps it's so he doesn't get scraped up when he hits the turf. Or maybe he's making a statement that he doesn't need short sleeves to perform.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 23: Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal is seen in the tunnel before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images) (Charlotte Wilson, Getty Images)Jul 5, 2006; Munich, GERMANY; Portugal forward (17) Cristiano Ronaldo battles with France defender (19) Willy Sagnol during the semi-final match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. Mandatory Credit: Luzzani/Liverani/ USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright Luzzani/Liverani (Luzzani, Luzzani/Liverani/US PRESSWIRE)June 25, 2010; Durban, SOUTH AFRICA; Brazil defenseman Lucio (3) battles for the ball with Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) during Group G play in the 2010 World Cup at Durban Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports (Witters Sport-US PRESSWIRE, Witters Sport-US PRESSWIRE)June 29, 2010; Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) during the round of sixteen in the 2010 World Cup against Spain at Green Point Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Valeria Witters/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports (Witters Sport-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)Jun 22, 2014; Manaus, Amazonas, BRAZIL; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts to missing a shot during the second half of their 2-2 tie with the United States in a 2014 World Cup game at Arena Amazonia. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports (Winslow Townson, Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)Jun 22, 2014; Manaus, Amazonas, BRAZIL; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) shoots during their 2014 World Cup game against the United States at Arena Amazonia. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports (Winslow Townson, Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)Jun 15, 2018; Sochi, Russia; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) celebrates after scoring a goal against Spain in Group B play during the FIFA World Cup 2018 at Fisht Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Leonel de Castro/Global Images/Sipa USA via USA TODAY Sports (Leonel de Castro, Sipa USA-USA TODAY Sports)Jun 20, 2018; Moscow, Russia; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts in Group D play during the FIFA World Cup 2018 at Spartak Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports (Tim Groothuis, Witters Sport-USA TODAY Sports)Nov 28, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts before playing against Uruguay in the group stage match in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports (Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)Nov 28, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) moves the ball against Uruguay during the second half of the group stage match in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports (Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)Nov 28, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts during the second half of the group stage match in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports (Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)Nov 28, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) celebrates his goal scored against Uruguay during the second half of the group stage match in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. The goal would instead be credited to midfielder Bruno Fernandes (8). Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports (Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)June 23, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images (Troy Taormina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)1 / 13
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 23: Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal is seen in the tunnel before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images) (Charlotte Wilson, Getty Images)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
Jul 5, 2006; Munich, GERMANY; Portugal forward (17) Cristiano Ronaldo battles with France defender (19) Willy Sagnol during the semi-final match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. Mandatory Credit: Luzzani/Liverani/ USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright Luzzani/Liverani (Luzzani, Luzzani/Liverani/US PRESSWIRE)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
June 25, 2010; Durban, SOUTH AFRICA; Brazil defenseman Lucio (3) battles for the ball with Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) during Group G play in the 2010 World Cup at Durban Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports (Witters Sport-US PRESSWIRE, Witters Sport-US PRESSWIRE)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
June 29, 2010; Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) during the round of sixteen in the 2010 World Cup against Spain at Green Point Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Valeria Witters/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports (Witters Sport-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
Jun 22, 2014; Manaus, Amazonas, BRAZIL; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts to missing a shot during the second half of their 2-2 tie with the United States in a 2014 World Cup game at Arena Amazonia. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports (Winslow Townson, Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
Jun 22, 2014; Manaus, Amazonas, BRAZIL; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) shoots during their 2014 World Cup game against the United States at Arena Amazonia. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports (Winslow Townson, Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
Jun 15, 2018; Sochi, Russia; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) celebrates after scoring a goal against Spain in Group B play during the FIFA World Cup 2018 at Fisht Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Leonel de Castro/Global Images/Sipa USA via USA TODAY Sports (Leonel de Castro, Sipa USA-USA TODAY Sports)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
Jun 20, 2018; Moscow, Russia; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts in Group D play during the FIFA World Cup 2018 at Spartak Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports (Tim Groothuis, Witters Sport-USA TODAY Sports)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
Nov 28, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts before playing against Uruguay in the group stage match in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports (Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
Nov 28, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) moves the ball against Uruguay during the second half of the group stage match in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports (Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
Nov 28, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts during the second half of the group stage match in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports (Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
Nov 28, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) celebrates his goal scored against Uruguay during the second half of the group stage match in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. The goal would instead be credited to midfielder Bruno Fernandes (8). Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports (Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)
See Cristiano Ronaldo from the past 6 World Cups in 13 photos
June 23, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images (Troy Taormina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
We'll see if we get a better answer at some point during this tournament.