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Khabib Nurmagomedov Honors an Emotional Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the Ex-Manchester United and AC Milan Legend Bids Farewell to the Sport

Published 06/05/2023, 8:50 AM EDT

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Khabib Nurmagomedov has shown over the years that he has an incredible passion for the sporting world. Apart from being a dominant MMA fighter, the former UFC champ has a deep love for the game of soccer. Being a Real Madrid fan, ‘The Eagle’ can be seen playing a game of soccer with his teammates and visiting soccer arenas in Europe. Recently, upon the retirement of soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Nurmagomedov honored the icon upon his retirement.

Nurmagomedov and Ibrahimovic have crossed paths several times in their career. It is of no shock as the ex-UFC champ would pay tribute to one of the best ever to grace the soccer pitch.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s response to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s retirement news

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The undefeated UFC fighter’s passion for football extends beyond being a spectator. Nurmagomedov has been involved in charity football matches and has even played in some exhibition games himself. Football holds a special place in Nurmagomedov’s heart, and he has often expressed his enthusiasm for the sport both publicly and through his social media channels.

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This time, he has a classy response upon seeing an emotional Zlatan Ibrahimovic calling it the day in his sport. Nurmagomedov wrote in his story “@iamzlatanibrahimovic Legend [applause]”

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Ibrahimovic called it a day in front of his beloved AC Milan fans at the age of 41. Despite his age, Ibrahimovic continued to perform at the highest level. He returned to AC Milan in 2019 and continued to be a key player for the team in winning the Scudetto in 2022.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Zlatan Ibrahimovic past interactions

Ibrahimovic is also a huge MMA fan and a practitioner of Taekwondo in his early days. The former Manchester United striker has huge admiration for Khabib Nurmagomedov. He even predicted that Nurmagomedov would win against Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

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Additionally, Khabib Nurmagomedov has also commented on many Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s posts in the past. Moreover, fans have also been wondering about the scenario of a fight between ‘The Eagle’ and the enigmatic footballer.

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The journey of the two legends has been quite exciting in their respective sports. The admiration they have for each other is a testament to their respect. Sadly, the fans would not be able to see their sporting journey further as it comes to an end.

Watch This Story – Watch Conor McGregor’s Bitter Rival Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Restaurant “M-Eat By Khabib”

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Written by:

Faizan Mirza

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Faizan Mirza is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. With a keen eye for analyzing the striking skills of MMA fighters, Faizan uses his expertise to break down fights, providing insightful commentary that is both informative and entertaining for combat sports fans. Faizan's article on Nate Diaz's remarks to Michael Chandler about Conor McGregor was particularly well-received, showcasing Faizan's talent for uncovering the lesser-known aspects of the sport.
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Edited by:

Anuj Jacob