Real Madrid fan and UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria snubs Cristiano Ronaldo and names Barcelona rival as favorite player
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria chose former Barcelona star Lionel Messi over Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo. During a UFC event, Ilia Topuria was asked to choose between different football players.
As seen in a video-tweet by All About Argentina, initially, he backed Spanish forward Lamine Yamal over Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Pedri. He then chose Andres Iniesta over Yamal, Luka Modric and Xavi Hernandez before he decided to take Zinedine Zidane's side.
Topuria later took some time before making a choice between Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, but he eventually went with the French legend.
Interviewer: Zidane or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Topuria (after a lot of contemplation): Zidane.
He ended the game by choosing Argentine superstar Lionel Messi over the former Real Madrid boss.
Interviewer: Zidane or Lionel Messi?
Topuria (quickly responded this time): Messi.
Topuria beat Australia's Alexander Volkanovski in UFC 298 in February earlier this year to win the featherweight title. Soon after the triumph, the 27-year-old was given a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu during Los Blancos' 1-0 victory over Sevilla in Laa Liga, where he also met the whole team.
At the time, Jude Bellingham and Sergio Ramos also clicked pictures with the featherweight champion. Ilia Topuria will defend his featherweight title against former champ Max Halloway in UFC 308 on Saturday, October 26.
During the weigh-in before the fight on Friday, October 25, the champion was also accompanied by Sergio Ramos to the ceremony.
Real Madrid linked with 21-year-old Argentine defender: Reports
Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid have reportedly entered the race to sign Velez Sarsfield's Valentin Gomez in 2025, as per Diario AS. The 21-year-old is also linked with River Plate and Boca Juniors.
Real Madrid are seeking a long-term partner of Eder Militao. Former Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger and Austria's David Alaba will turn 32 and 33 respectively before the commencement of the new season. Additionally, Alaba's injury struggles have restricted him from performing his best, as he's currently in the sidelines.
With only two natural first-team options, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger, Los Blancos are keen to sign a new central defender. They are already linked with Aymeric Laporta, Castello Lukeba and Vitor Reis. Additionally, they have also added Gomez on their transfer radar.
The Argentine defender has made 98 appearances for Velez Sarsfield across competitions, bagging three goals and an assist. Additionally, he has made 10 appearances for Argentina's Under-20 team.