3 hours ago
2
Roger Fabri, one of Australia's best credentialed sprinting coaches, has revealed how Sea Eagles star Jason Saab has the edge over football legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fabri, the founder of his own sprinting institution, the Roger Fabri Speed Academy, has worked with some of the world's best athletes across his 30-year career.
He's collaborated with names like James Tedesco, Sonny Bill Williams and David Warner and been voted the New South Wales athletic league coach of the year six times.
But he's now taken aim at the speed with which the 40-year-old Ronaldo, who is widely considered to be one of the world's best athletes, is able to get out of the blocks in comparison to Saab.
'The execution of his (Ronaldo's) block clearance is just absolutely horrible', he said.
Fabri went on to praise Saab for his sprinting prowess in his Instagram video, despite the Manly winger playing a sport with very different demands on the body.
Jason Saab (pictured working out at a Sydney gym) has been hailed as more athletically talented than soccer megastar Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo (pictured) is in insane shape for a 40-year-old and is widely known for his dedication to fitness, speed and aerial ability
The Portuguese legend (pictured with fiancée Georgina Rodriguez) didn't impress an Aussie expert when he was captured practising his sprinting on video
Saab recently competed in a southern Sydney athletics meet, where he clocked an impressive 10.8 second time for the 100m sprint.
He did so after just a few weeks of dedicated spring training following the conclusion of Manly's NRL season.
Fabri believes Saab is easily the fastest man in the NRL.
'Let's first of all give him kudos for being a football player going into track. That's daunting in itself,' Fabri said.
'But now, he's actually put something on the scoreboard. He (Saab) is the fastest man in the NRL. There's no doubt.'
Many NRL experts believe speedsters from rival teams could challenge the 25-year-old.
But Fabri believes it's no longer up for a debate.
Saab has built his 102kg body to cope with the rugged impacts in the NRL - but is still versatile enough to show huge promise as a sprinter
The 25-year-old (pictured playing for Manly) is regarded by many experts as the fastest player in the NRL
The long-time coach has focused on how the Sea Eagles winger was able to compete with specialised sprinters, despite having a body that's been built for playing in the NRL.
'This guy is a footballer, (and weighs) 102 kilograms, running 10.80, with four weeks preparation', he said.
Saab will hope his sprint masterclass captures the attention of NFL scouts overseas.
The Sea Eagles winger has expressed desire to be noticed by American football clubs for a potential shot at playing in the US, as recently as in the lead up to the 2024 NRL season opener.
'League's the greatest game of all, but who wouldn't entertain an opportunity in NFL,' he said in March last year.
But Fabri's recent praise of Saab sheds light on how impressive he is, especially considering the relentless training regimes Ronaldo follows.
It has been revealed that the 40-year-old eats six mini meals per day, rather than the traditional three main meals.
He also utilises a $50,000 cryogenic chamber, and instead of sleeping for a substantial amount of time in one go, he sleeps for seven and a half hours, but via five 90-minute naps.
Ronaldo does all of this for what he perceives as hidden health benefits, as part of an effort to keep him at the top of his game.
