At first glance, it is a rather unequal duo: Here the technically adept exceptional kicker Cristiano Ronaldo (36), there the “man for the rough”, UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov (32). Aside from being superstars in their sports, the two apparently don’t have much in common.
In truth, the five-time world footballer and the cage giant are great buddies! And, as Nurmagomedov now reveals in a conversation with his Russian compatriot and YouTuber KraSava, they are in close contact.
“We talk to each other a lot, almost every day,” said Nurmagomedov, who ended his career as the undefeated lightweight champion (29 wins) in October 2020 after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi.
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Conversations with Portugal’s superstar often revolve around private topics, the family. “Ronaldo wants his son to be his successor,” said Nurmagomedov. But “CR7” is worried that his son will not “feel the same hunger, the same will” as himself.
Nurmagomedov explains: “When Ronaldo was a kid, his biggest dream was a simple pair of football boots. But his son has it all. And when you have everything, it is very difficult to find the right motivation. “
Ronaldo, who has been chasing goals for Juventus Turin since 2018 after having played in Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United and Real Madrid, has stated several times in the past that he would like to see his son Cristiano Junior (10) in his footsteps.
“I’m not going to put pressure on him to become a footballer. But if you ask me if I want that, then of course I do. I want him to be the best, whether he’s a footballer or a doctor, ”the 2016 European champion told the Portuguese newspaper“ A Bola ”.
Ronaldo with his Argentine partner Georgina Rodriguez and son Cristiano Junior
Photo: AFP
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At the award for “Player of the Century” in Dubai 2020, Ronaldo also revealed that he is sometimes very strict with his offspring: “Sometimes I am hard on him because he drinks Coke and Fanta. I get mad and argue with him when he eats chips, fries and all that stuff. He knows I don’t like that. Even my little children, when they eat chocolate, they look at me like that … “
But then there was praise from dad: “But to be honest, he has potential, he’s big, fast, dribbles well, but that’s nothing. I always tell him that. It takes a lot of hard work. “
Ronaldo also put that into his own career. The goal machine from Madeira’s capital Funchal subordinates everything to success: several hours of daily training, healthy eating, lots of sleep. Allegedly, his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez (27) even forbids him to change lightbulbs at home on a ladder because of the risk of injury.
But how long can and will he still play at the highest level?
If buddy Khabib has its way, the football world will still enjoy the Portuguese for a while. “He has won 30 titles and is the best goalscorer of all time. I think he’ll play another two or three seasons. “
And what about Khabib Nurmagomedov?
The fighter from Sildi in the Russian Republic of Dagestan has ended his career. Recently, however, the martial arts fans had hope that Nurmagomedov would think again.
The reason was an Instagram live video of the football-loving fighter in PSG’s 4-1 win against Barça at Camp Nou, in which he said: “Hey Dana (UFC boss Dana White, d. Ed.), Let’s have a fight doing here in front of 100,000 people. Here we go.”
