Grêmio midfielder Zé Roberto may be 38-years-old but you would be forgiven for thinking he’s much younger given his impressive physical condition and statistics.
The former Bayern Munich and Hamburg SV star has drawn huge amounts of praise for his form since arriving at the Porto Alegre club earlier this year, but it is his fitness that has been most impressive to his colleagues at the club.
Tests show that the veteran has just 6% body fat and often runs 16kms per game, which caused fellow new signing and former Liverpool leftback Fábio Aurélio to comment that he “looks like a boy”.
According to Grêmio coach Antônio Mello this is down to good genes but also with a specific training regime and diet designed to keep him in prime condition.
He told Zero Hora: “Zé Roberto is benefited by a favorable genetic. Which allies speed and strength with all the technical qualities that football demands. His shape is maintained with appropriate training to the game, with more physical work approaching the reality of a match and this helps to lower the risk of muscle fatigue and injury.”
Mello did not say to what age the player could play to but he was impressed with the attitude shown by the star.
“He overcame the barrier of poverty and today is an example in the locker room. He plays a dual role. On the pitch, he leads and outside, he advises colleagues. He is an example.”
