Football Legend Ronaldo Reveals Chronic Shoulder Injury Sustained During Tennis Session with Carlos Alcaraz

Football legend Ronaldo reveals he has suffered from shoulder inflammation since hitting with Carlos Alcaraz. Get the details on the injury and Alcaraz's Monte Carlo plans.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 6:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

A High-Impact Meeting of Sporting Greats

What began as a friendly meeting between two generations of sporting excellence has resulted in a lingering physical setback for football legend Ronaldo. The 49-year-old former striker recently revealed that he has suffered from chronic shoulder inflammation since November, following a tennis session with Carlos Alcaraz. Ronaldo, a dedicated tennis enthusiast, met Alcaraz in Miami and engaged in a brief hitting session that eventually escalated in intensity at the legend's own request.

The Physical Toll of Professional Power

Ronaldo detailed the moment the injury occurred, noting that while he initially handled the speed of the shots well, the sheer force of Alcaraz’s ball-striking eventually overwhelmed his shoulder. The Brazilian described arriving in São Paulo shortly after the meeting and finding himself unable to perform basic movements or greet people due to the pain. He eventually shared images on social media showing his shoulder treated with ice, though the full extent and duration of the inflammation only became clear in his recent interview with CazeTV.

Alcaraz Reflects on Ronaldo’s On-Court Talent

For his part, Carlos Alcaraz expressed genuine surprise at the athletic capability of the football icon. The reigning Wimbledon champion admitted that Ronaldo’s performance on the court was superior to what he had seen in previous videos. Alcaraz noted that Ronaldo specifically asked him to increase the pace and "speed up" the rally, a challenge the footballer met with surprising competence before the physical strain took its toll. Despite the injury, Ronaldo praised Alcaraz’s charisma and friendliness, describing the young champion as an exceptionally grounded individual.