CRISTIANO RONALDO told UFC pal Khabib Nurmagomedov he left Juventus for Manchester United as he was “bored in Italy”.
The MMA legend says Ronaldo added he “wanted to go back to England” and Khabib knew it would happen a MONTH before it was finalised.
Ron’s deadline-week move shocked football as he was linked to PSG and then Manchester City before old club United pounced.
But Khabib, who was UFC’s longest-running lightweight champ, was far from surprised.
He told Sport24: “I don’t want to disclose any personal messages… Ronaldo said he was bored in Italy and wanted to go back to England.
“I’m also not a fan of Italian football, [but] the English Premier League I won’t switch over. Any team there can put on a show.”
The Russian also believes Portugal attacker Ronaldo, 36, is far “cooler” than 34-year-old GOAT rival Lionel Messi.
Argentina wizard Messi joined PSG from Barcelona last month, days before Ron was also said to be interesting the French big-spenders.
And although many would love to have seen the all-time greats paired together, Khabib believes Ron is out on his own – not just for pure ability.
The retired cage fighter, 32, said: “Cristiano has been at the top for 17 years.
“In 2004 he was in the final at the European Championship, and now it’s 2021 and he’s still scoring.
“There’s never been a phenomenon like that in football… I think Messi’s been at his peak for about 12 years, and Cristiano 17.
“In my opinion, Ronaldo is cooler…. Cristiano is much cooler, I think.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
“Messi is one of the best in history. But if in the game they’re equal, then in charisma Cristiano is more powerful.”
Ronaldo is now eyeing his second United debut when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s third-placed side host winless Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.
And last week Khabib revealed to RT: “A month ago, he told me he was moving to United.
“I expected this deal to take place. I think that United is more suitable for him than Juventus.”
Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
