Cristiano Ronaldo has handled some of football’s grandest occasions with aplomb but on Monday he faced his sternest opponent yet – a waterslide.
The Portugal legend was filmed frolicking on the flume in a luxury Loch Lomond hotel ahead of his country’s clash with Scotland.
He two-footed the watery chute before vanishing down it, and while footage did not show him emerging at the bottom, you’d bet on him exiting before Tuesday’s match.
The Portuguese national team are relaxing at the blue-chip Cameron House hotel, where a one-night getaway will set you back at least £235.
And Ronaldo has been the centre of attention, waving at hordes of supporters and not even escaping the cameras in the sanctuary of the gym.
Cristiano Ronaldo larked about on a waterslide on Monday amid Portugal’s visit to Scotland
The former Man United star was seen whizzing down the slide ahead of Tuesday’s clash
Police even had to push back the barriers with hundreds of people gathered at the golf resort, as reported by The Sun.
Portugal are top of Group A in the top tier of Nations League football having won all their games and Scotland will greet Ronaldo at Hampden Park in lethal form.
The 39-year-old bagged a record-extending 133rd international goal on Saturday as Portugal put Poland to the sword 3-1.
He scored a late winner in a 2-1 victory over Scotland early in September and Steve Clarke’s side, who have lost all their fixtures, are desperate for points.
The Cameron House hotel has provided the goal machine with familiar comforts as he also stayed there twice while playing for Manchester United on trips to face Celtic in 2006 and 2008.
Ronaldo has previously hinted that he wants to reach 1,000 goals. So far he has netted 906.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez took him off against Poland and revealed he did so to keep him fresh to face the Tartan Army.
‘The substitution was important because it’s part of us managing the players.
Portugal have been preparing at St Mirren’s training ground for their Nations League match
Ronaldo enjoyed himself on a massive waterslide while on holiday in Greece in 2019
‘We have two games in 72 hours, so we took Cristiano off so he would be ready for the second game in Scotland. Diogo Jota came on for him and did very well.
‘It’s important to use the players we have on the bench. Cristiano is in perfect shape for our next game.’
Decked out in tight black swimming shorts and nothing else, his mucking about on the waterslide might revive memories of similar antics in 2019.
Mail Sport covered his exploits on a large inflatable waterslide that summer between seasons at Juventus.