Hansi Flick implements therapy popularised by Cristiano Ronaldo to improve Barcelona players ahead of new season: Reports
Hansi Flick has reportedly taken a page out of the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo's book to improve Barcelona players' physical conditions for the upcoming 2024-25 season. La Blaugrana parted ways with Xavi and brought in Flick as a replacement.
The former Bayern Munich and Germany manager is seemingly leaving no stone unturned in a bid to prepare his side the best for the next season. Flick is focusing especially on the physical recovery of a player.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the fittest footballers of all time. The Portuguese has managed to maintain a top physical condition despite being 39. He has long been an advocate of cryotherapy, where an individual is subjected to extremely cold temperatures, which could range between -10 to -60 degrees Celcius. It helps in reducing inflammation, recovery, and pain relief.
Flick is also incorporating that system into Barcelona's training. As per a report (via Barca News Network), it is not only the older players who are getting that treatment. The younger players have also been included in that regimen.
Players like Pedri, Gavi, and others have shown a tendency to pick up injuries in recent seasons. Whether Flick's methods can improve their conditions remains to be seen.
One Barcelona star is a Cristiano Ronaldo admirer
Cristiano Ronaldo had a hostile relationship with Barcelona fans during his stint in Spanish football with their arch-rivals Real Madrid. That said, the Portugal captain has earned the respect of Barca players, as can be deduced from Pedri's statement.
Ronaldo has lost some significant edge from his game with age. Pedri, however, reckons anybody who criticizes the legendary forward knows nothing about football. In a Twitch video with Ibai Llanos earlier this year, Pedri said (via EssentiallySports):
"Anybody who says [Cristiano] Ronaldo is bad is foolish and knows nothing about football."
While Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time, with fame comes criticism. The Al-Nassr forward has been a victim of that and many fans and pundits have lambasted the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in recent times.
Pedri, though, is certainly not one of them and his words are a reminder of why football is all about respect.