Fans have spotted his painted toenails in previous Instagram posts

Cristiano Ronaldo recently made headlines when fans noticed that he was wearing nail polish, and he may very well do so at the Euros, too.

There’s a key reason behind it though, it isn’t merely a fashion choice, as the Portuguese footballing legend almost always has a reason for everything that he does.

One of the most regimented men on the planet, Ronaldo harmlessly uploaded a post-workout picture with his 13-year-old son, Cristiano Jr to Instagram.

The father and son happily posed with big smiles as they stood flexing in their expectedly luxurious home gym.

The 39-year-old will be hoping to leave a mark at what might be his final ever Euros. (Aitor Alcalde – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

But the post went viral for something the footballer probably couldn’t have predicted, as his fans fixated on his toenails, as they pointed out that they were painted black, in the comments below.

Numerous users were left baffled, asking why the footballer would choose to put black nail polish on, but the reason behind it is incredibly Ronaldo-esque.

It turns out that athletes can be incredibly susceptible to fungal infections around their toenails due to spending endless hours each day sweating in shoes.

The problem is particularly common in footballers, whose feet take a good deal of trauma when they’re tackled or stepped on during matches.

So, Ronaldo paints his toenails to protect them from fungi and bacteria, and he probably won’t halt the habit for the upcoming Euros.

The viral snap in question. (Instagram/@cristiano)

It certainly seems to be working for the 39-year-old, as he continues to break records wherever he goes, recording 44 goals and 13 assists in all competitions during his first full season with Saudi Pro League side, Al Nassr.

And he’s not the only one getting regular pedicures in the name of protecting his little piggies.

During the height of his boxing career, Mike Tyson used to paint his nails and it’s also a common practice among MMA fighters and track runners.

In other news, Cristiano Jr. appears to be following in his famous father’s pedicured footsteps, having played at several academies before joining Al Nassr’s books.

The U13s player said: “I am very happy to have come here and I feel comfortable with [Al-Nassr], and I adapted quickly and enjoyed a lot during the current season, thank God.”

And, he’s demanding his dad keeps playing for a few years longer so they can one day take to the pitch together.

It’s to avoid any fungal infections. (Instagram/@cristiano)

Ronaldo previously said: “My son tells me: dad, hold on a few more years. I want to play with you!”

At the recent Globe Soccer Awards, he joked: “The moment I finish, I don’t know to be honest. Of course it will be soon, soon I mean 10 years more. No I am joking, I don’t know, let’s see.”