Apparently retired for good from mixed martial arts, Khabib Nurmagomedov dreams of becoming a professional footballer, and has even spoken about it with “good friend” Cristiano Ronaldo.
The current UFC lightweight champion has been busy following his decision to call time on his unbeaten career last October, launching his Eagle Fighting Championship and working on a number of business ventures.
Nurmagomedov, 32, has still found time for his other great love, though, with footage emerging last month of a football kickabout during some downtime in Dubai. Among those taking to the pitch alongside him was former Real Madrid and Netherlands star Clarence Seedorf.
On the back of that video, which soon went viral, Russian third-tier side FC Kamaz playfully offered Nurmagomedov a contract.
Speaking this week in an interview with Match TV in Russia, Nurmagomedov said: “To play football on a professional level is a childhood dream. Of course, I have such a wish. Football is the king of sports, after all.
“Who haven’t I discussed this with? I’ve spoken even with the Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, with the owner of [Paris Saint-Germain], yes and even with Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Nurmagomedov and Ronaldo have long been friends having met multiple times in Dubai. The Dagestani fighter, a regular visitor to the UAE, also spent time recently in the emirate with Virgil van Dijk, where the Liverpool defender has been recovering from injury at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.
However, Nurmagomedov reiterated that his affiliation is to another high-profile club.
“Spartak [Moscow] of course are great, but that’s domestic level. My dream club is Real Madrid,” he told Match TV. “In fact, the first match I remember watching the full 90 minutes, was Real versus Juventus in 1998 [Champions League final]. I remember [Predrag] Mijatovic scored from an offside position, but we still won.”
Khabib's last fight
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UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty -
Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty -
Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty -
Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty -
Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty -
Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty -
Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty -
Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty -
Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty -
Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty -
Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty -
US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty -
Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty -
Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty -
US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty -
Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty -
Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty -
American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty -
Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty -
Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty -
Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty
