Football god Zlatan Ibrahimović and mixed martial arts icon Khabib Nurmagomedov set the San Siro alight during AC Milan’s latest Serie A match against league rivals Roma.
Zlatan Ibrahimović may have hung up his boots in an emotional farewell last season, but that still doesn’t keep the former AC Milan away from the game he loves.
The 42-year-old Swedish superstar made 163 appearances for Milan across two stints and won two Serie A titles with the club. He now spends his time enjoying some much-deserved time off after a prolific football career that spanned nearly three decades but still operates in a senior advisor role at Milan.
During a recent Serie A fixture against league rivals Roma, Zlatan was captured embracing another sports legend, former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov who was on hand to witness AC Milan’s victory over Jose Mourinho’s stuttering Roma side.
As senior advisor, Ibrahimovic is involved in the sports and business operations of the team. The job includes helping develop players and promoting Milan’s brand. Part of the latter is making himself visible in the club’s games, lending his god-like image, to attract fans and media attention. Having another high-profile athlete like Khabib supporting Milan is obviously an added boost.
Nurmagomedov has always been a massive football fan. In 2022, he was seen attending the FIFA World Cup in Qatar with French footballer Paul Pogba of Juventus, tennis all-time great Novak Djokovic, and of course Zlatan.
Last year, Khabib also travelled to Anfield to meet Liverpool great Ian Rush and watch The Reds’ scoreless draw against Chelsea. The Eagle also exchanged pleasantries with Gabriel Jesus after Arsenal’s 3-2 win against Manchester United.
Like Ibrahimovic, Nurmagomedov has retired from the sport that he once dominated. Khabib compiled an unbeaten 29-0 record with 8 knockouts and 11 submission victories. He won the vacant UFC lightweight title by defeating Al Iaquinta at UFC 223.
The Dagestani then made three successful title defences by submitting Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. He retired after his win over Gaethje.
Khabib kept himself busy by buying an MMA promotion and following in his late father’s footsteps as an MMA coach. As a coach, he helped produce several MMA champions including Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev.
But just like his MMA career, Khabib’s coaching stint ended abruptly and while he was on top of his game. Reportedly, he wanted to spend more time with his family and focus on his children. Of course, being away from the rigours of training fighters has also given Khabib more time to enjoy life by travelling around the world and watching the best football matches.