Nurmagomedov, 32, has said he speaks to the Portugal captain regularly, with the pair discussing Ronaldo’s son’s future in football.

“We talk many times, almost every day, but when we met we had a conversation about where we got our motivation from,” Khabib told Russian YouTuber KraSava.

“He told me that he wants his son to be his successor. When Cristiano was a kid, he could only dream of having a simple pair of boots. But his son has everything. He fears that his son will not feel the same hunger, the same will.

“People are guided by that will. Feel the desire to achieve things. When you have everything, it’s hard to find the right motivation.

“When he told me that, I’m not going to say I was surprised, but I enjoyed listening to him. I realised that he’s a person who is not content with one, two or three titles.

“He recently won his 30th title, he is the best scorer ever. I think he will still be there for two or three more seasons.”

Nurmagomedov said his decision to retire was down to his mother’s wish for her son not to fight again following the death of Khabib’s father.