Cristiano Ronaldo vs Zlatan Ibrahomivic - in The Octagon! Ex-UFC star backs CR7 to battle Swedish legend in 'great fight' with 'anything is possible' teaser

Swedish icon Ibrahimovic, who currently fills an advisory role at Serie A giants AC Milan, has always been a big fan of martial arts. His imposing frame would make him a serious threat inside the Octagon.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, continues to keep himself in great shape at 40 years of age. He is still going strong at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, while adding his collection of 219 caps for Portugal, but will need a new challenge at some stage.

CR7’s former Old Trafford team-mate, Patrice Evra, has already announced that he will be making his MMA debut at the PFL Europe event in Paris on May 23. Could Ronaldo follow his lead and one day line up a clash with Ibrahimovic?

Former UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson would like to see that happen, telling Comeon Sports: "Patrice Evra has gone into MMA and I think Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be an amazing fighter, I already know he’s an incredible fighter, he has good kicks, long range arms and legs, I think he would be great if he gave MMA a chance.

"Could he be a champion? Who knows. Imagine Zlatan vs Cristiano Ronaldo. It would be a great fight to watch and these days it seems like anything is possible, you never know who is going to fight who."

Ronaldo has been a regular at ring side for the various boxing extravaganzas that have been staged in the Middle East. He has, alongside son Cristiano Jr, been invited by Canelo Alvarez to attend the Mexican’s next fight against William Scull in Riyadh on Saturday.