“Ronaldo or Messi”- Years Before Their Exploits at Inter Miami and ...

Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi is among the greatest sporting rivalries of all time. Right up there with Larry Bird vs. Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal, and Muhammad Ali vs. ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier. Additionally, soccer’s global reach, plus the fact that it is the most popular sport around the world, means that it boasts a global audience.

And although many feel that the Inter Miami forward leading Argentina to a World Cup victory last year has settled that debate, Ronaldo continues to enjoy immense popularity among many soccer (and indeed even non-soccer) fans. And former UFC lightweight champion and one of the greatest MMA fighters Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of them.

A few years ago, he was even asked to pick between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in an interview. The Dagestani, without hesitation, picked Cristiano Ronaldo. “Of course Ronaldo. For me it’s Ronaldo,” he said. Nurmagomedov is a long-time fan of the Al-Nassr forward and his former club Real Madrid. He was even seen using Ronaldo’s ‘Siu’ celebration after scoring a goal in a friendly soccer match with his friends.

Nurmagomedov is a huge soccer fan. He has talked about playing professional soccer being a childhood dream of his and has even discussed the matter with Ronaldo, PSG, and UEFA presidents.

The Dagestani has also met Ronaldo multiple times and the two are good friends. In 2021, Nurmagomedov went to England, and after watching the Liverpool vs. Manchester City at Anfield, he visited Old Trafford, the home ground of Manchester United, where he met his pal Cristiano Ronaldo. He got a custom-made Manchester United jersey with ‘Khabib’ written on the back and Ronaldo’s iconic no. 7. The two athletes even indulged in a mock face-off with each other. After their meeting, The former lightweight champion took to Instagram and called Ronaldo the best-ever soccer player. “He is a best ever, keep doing your things Champ, you inspire millions of people around the World” he wrote on Instagram.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the greatest MMA fighters and never lost a round in the UFC. And Ronaldo is one of the greatest players to kick a football and holds the record for most club goals scored by a player. Game, as they say, recognizes game. And that cannot be truer in the case of ‘The Eagle’ and Ronaldo. Do you agree with Nurmagomedov that Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time? If not, tell us your pick in the comment section below.

Watch This Story– Lionel Messi’s most insane dribbling runs