Cristiano Ronaldo puts on varnish to avoid getting fungus and bacteria, which could spread with sweating. This technique, which comes from contact sports, therefore allows you to have an additional protective layer on your toes.

Footballers aren't the only athletes to paint their toenails. It's believed Mike Tyson did the same during the height of his heavyweight boxing career, while former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has done the same.

Famous basketball player Dwyane Wade is no rookie when it comes to manicures.“I’ve been getting my nails painted since 2007,” "Wade"

Noah Lyles is not only a triple world champion in running but also a trendsetter with his colorful nail polish choices. His vibrant nails, painted red with a touch of black, became a focal point for many fans during the World Indoor Championships. In a video shared on the World Athletics Instagram page, viewers admitted to being captivated by his nail art, perhaps even more so than by his words. Despite finishing second in the 60m race behind World Champion Christian Coleman, Lyles continues to express himself boldly both on and off the track.

Following the example set by MMA fighters, it turns out that painting toenails black can help prevent the nails cracking or splitting during combat, making the choice a functional one rather than aesthetic. Successful kicks from fighters have often resulted in them having their toenails broken, while foot stomps and general wear and tear on the matt can damage toenails, so many fighters choose to paint them for a little more protection.