In a funny moment that stole the spotlight, an unexpected meeting brought together former MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, retired Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and French midfielder Paul Pogba.
The encounter between Nurmagomedov and Ibrahimovic turned into a friendly challenge, as they engaged in an arm wrestling competition in a scene full of jokes and fun. Khabib (37 years old) shared it via his social media accounts.
The pictures showed Ibrahimovic, the former player for Ajax Amsterdam, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter, Milan, and Barcelona, initiating the challenge against Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion, while they were sitting at a dinner table in a friendly atmosphere. Pogba appeared watching the challenge and standing between them.
Khabib tried to provoke Ibrahimovic, saying: “Be honest, what do you feel? Can you feel that?”, to which the Swede jokingly replied: I feel the spirit, before all three burst out laughing and ended the challenge without a decisive result in a funny clip that saw widespread interaction on social media platforms.
It is worth noting that Ibrahimovic announced his final retirement from football in the summer of 2023, after a career spanning more than two decades, during which he won numerous titles in the top European leagues and left a significant mark on the history of the game.
Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov, 36 years old, retired from professional competition in 2020 after an exceptional career he finished undefeated (29 wins), before moving into coaching and managing sports projects.
For his part, Pogba joined Monaco on a free transfer with a contract until 2027 in June 2025, returning to the French league after a long period of suspension due to doping and an extortion case, as he seeks to revive his football career with the team.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov is a retired undefeated mixed martial artist from Dagestan, Russia, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. He is known for his dominant wrestling style, his deep-rooted Muslim faith, and his cultural significance as a proud representative of the Avar people and the North Caucasus region.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimović is a retired Swedish professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation. Known for his exceptional skill, powerful playing style, and charismatic personality, he played for top European clubs including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and AC Milan.
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is not a place or cultural site, but a French professional footballer. He rose to prominence at Manchester United before achieving global fame at Juventus and with the French national team, winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Ajax Amsterdam
Ajax Amsterdam is a professional football club based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1900. It is historically one of the most successful clubs in European football, renowned for its youth academy and “Total Football” philosophy that dominated the 1970s, winning three consecutive European Cups.
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain is a professional football club based in Paris, France, founded in 1970. It has become one of France’s most successful clubs, winning numerous domestic titles and establishing itself as a major force in European football.
Inter
Inter is a professional football club based in Milan, Italy, officially founded in 1908 by a breakaway group from AC Milan who wanted a club open to foreign players. Historically known as Internazionale, it is one of Italy’s most successful clubs, with numerous domestic and international titles, including multiple UEFA Champions League victories. The club plays its home matches at the San Siro stadium, which it shares with its city rival, AC Milan.
Milan
Milan is a major city in northern Italy, historically founded by the Celts and later a key center of the Roman Empire. It is globally renowned as a fashion and design capital, while also housing significant cultural landmarks such as the Gothic Milan Cathedral (Duomo) and Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco “The Last Supper.”
Barcelona
Barcelona is a historic coastal city in northeastern Spain, renowned for its unique Catalan culture and distinctive architecture by Antoni Gaudí, such as the Sagrada Família. Founded as a Roman city, it later became a major medieval trading power and remains a vibrant economic and cultural hub today.
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a premier American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company, founded in 1993. It began as a tournament to determine the most effective martial art in real combat, evolving under regulatory oversight into a global sports organization with strict rules and weight classes.
Monaco
Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, known for its luxury and as the home of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Historically ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297, its modern era is defined by its development as a banking and tourism center following a 19th-century treaty with France.
French league
The French league, officially known as Ligue 1, is the top professional football division in France, founded in 1932 under the name National before becoming Division 1 and later Ligue 1. It is historically dominated by clubs like AS Saint-Étienne, Olympique de Marseille, and more recently Paris Saint-Germain, which has risen to prominence through significant investment since the 2010s. The league is a founding member of the European Leagues group and operates a system of promotion and relegation with Ligue 2.
