'Put him in midfield!' Football-mad Khabib watches PSG v Liverpool UCL clash (PHOTOS)
Football-mad UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was among those in attendance as Paris Saint-Germain took on Liverpool in a highly-anticipated Champions League game in the French capital on Wednesday night.
Khabib was spotted in the crowd taking in the action at the Parc des Princes as the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for PSG and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah met in Group C of Europe’s top club competition.
The UFC lightweight king is a well-known football fan and has previously spoken of his respect for Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Salah, hailing him as a role model for Muslims around the world.
READ MORE: Khabib hails ‘humble’ Salah as Muslim ‘role model’
Khabib is in the building #PSGLFC 👊 pic.twitter.com/mGjhMCwVer
— The Man (@LifeOfFuad) November 28, 2018
Ayyy, Khabib is in the house! #PSGLIVpic.twitter.com/eTpb2qguCB
— AR 🦅 (@AR__Pogba) November 28, 2018
Khabib is at the game. Surely came to watch his idol Mo Salah.
— Utkarsh Joshi (@UtkarshJos) November 28, 2018
Khabib watching this game 🔥🔥🔥
— Vinicius Jr stan account (Bears 8-3) (@Adridista_) November 28, 2018
With Liverpool falling 2-0 behind after Neymar’s goal, some online joked that they hoped the MMA star had brought his boots and could have a run-out for the Reds.
Get Khabib on
— Sabah (@Sabah07) November 28, 2018
Khabib on for Henderson
— ً (@Kashaveli_) November 28, 2018
Play Khabib in midfield 😂
— Shwet. (@MoSalahPapad) November 28, 2018
Others jested that he had come to take on serial play actor Neymar.
Khabib’s come to fight Neymar 😂 #PSGLIVpic.twitter.com/N6yrWqj2Id
— B T M ☝🏻 (@ALoafOfHovis_) November 28, 2018
Other star guests amid an eclectic mix at the game included veteran rocker Mick Jagger - who was sitting one row behind Khabib - and Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.
Khabib is in Paris watching Paris SG vs Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League. #UFCpic.twitter.com/3dWIE7Mr5k
— Ibrahim Kaddoüra (@IbrahimKad) November 28, 2018
All the stars are out for #PSGLIV!Leonardo DiCaprio and Mick Jagger join Khabib Nurmagomedov at Parc des Princes this morning. #OptusSport#UCLpic.twitter.com/CxKUq0teAK
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) November 28, 2018
Put Khabib and DiCaprio in that Liverpool midfield
— Tommy.🔰 (@UtdTommy1) November 28, 2018
The game saw PSG striker Neymar become the top Brazilian scorer in Champions League history when he turned home a rebound to put his team 2-0 up on the night.
The goal moved him to 31 in the competition – one ahead of countryman Kaka.
READ MORE: Neymar goal for PSG v Liverpool makes him Brazil's top Champions League scorer (PHOTOS)
Khabib, meanwhile, is fresh from a Moscow press conference earlier this week at which he signed the biggest sponsorship deal for a Russia-based athlete.
READ MORE: ‘It’s what the fans want’ – Khabib says 'legacy' fight with Mayweather is best option
He also spoke of his priority, to face undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather in his next bout in a potentially money-spinning crossover fight.