Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has the same routine ahead of every match for the new club alongside teammate Diogo Dalot.
The two Portuguese internationals spend time ahead of every United game in the team hotel drinking coffee – something that Dalot had never liked before Ronaldo’s return.
Dalot, 22, has established himself in Ralf Rangnick’s preferred starting XI at the Red Devils as his consistent form has ousted Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the position.
Dalot has started 10 of the last 12 Premier League matches for United, where he has linked up with Portugal international teammates Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
The full-back returned to Old Trafford this summer following a successful season-long loan stint at Milan and a successful showing in Euro 2020 with his nation.
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Yet he has explained that the return of Ronaldo to United after 12 years away has transformed his pre-match routine.
The right-back has claimed that he never liked nor drank coffee but Ronaldo ‘dragged’ him into it ahead of games, where they discuss the match ahead of them and try to focus together.
Dalot has explained: "I mean every player has their superstitions.
"To be honest, I don’t have many so now I always, and it’s a fun story, before the games, when we’re at the hotel, I always drink my coffee with Cristiano.
"It’s been a routine now. He actually dragged me into the coffee because I was not a big fan of coffee but now I’ve started doing that.
"Just to talk a little bit. Sometimes we have too much time in the hotel, so we get out of the room, just to talk a little bit and try to focus on the game.
"Obviously, I hear my music, do my preparations, whether it’s massages or it’s mobility work or stretches, and then be ready for the game.”
Ronaldo’s strict diet and preparation for matches are well-known and his impact on the habits of United teammates has already been documented.
Defender Eric Bailly has also explained how the 37-year-old influenced his teammates into not eating puddings as they aimed to improve their diet and follow his lead.
"All the players stopped because it's good, you need to change sometimes," the Ivorian central defender said.
"Ronaldo has been the best for a long time, why? Your body, you need to take care of it."
Goalkeeper Lee Grant explained back in September, in the aftermath of Ronaldo’s arrival: "You finish your dinner and usually on a Friday night you've got a few cheat stuff out.
"You've got a bit of apple crumble and custard or you've got a bit of brownie and cream.
"I tell you now, not one player touched the apple crumble and custard, not one player went up for that brownie.
"We were sat down on our table for table pre-match and straight away one of the lads said to me 'what has Cristiano got on his plate?'
"We were having a little goosey-gander over at what he's got and obviously it's the cleanest, most healthy plate you could imagine.
"It just cracked me up how not one player got up to take that junk food on which was laid out."
Ronaldo has scored 15 goals in 27 appearances for United, ending his recent goal drought with a strike in the 2-0 win over Brighton on Tuesday evening.
