Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk attended the Saudi Pro League match of the 12th round between Al-Nassr and Al-Holood, which took place in Riyadh. This was reported by Turki Al Alsheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority. In the stadium stands, Usyk cheered for Cristiano Ronaldo's team, with whom he shares friendly relations, and came to the game wearing a shirt bearing the Portuguese player's surname.
Ronaldo's hat-trick and Al-Nassr's victory
The match ended in a 5-3 victory for the hosts. The main star of the match was Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick. The Portuguese forward has been playing for Al-Nassr since 2023 and is one of the key figures in Saudi football. According to Ukrainian media, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has already scored 985 official goals throughout his club and international career, and the player himself has called the 1,000-goal mark his final goal before retirement.
«I feel at home every time»
During a conversation with representatives of the General Entertainment Authority, Usyk shared his impressions of the stadium atmosphere and his stay in Riyadh. «I feel at home in Riyadh every time. I am always very glad to return here. I want to say a big thank you to Turki Al Alsheikh, because he gives all people and athletes, especially boxers, the opportunity to be here. The atmosphere is great, the fans are incredible! Simply incredible,» the boxer stated. Usyk also shared that he loves football and plays it himself, and when asked about his position on the pitch, he replied that he is a central forward.
After a tough fight in Giza
Attending the match became one of Usyk's public appearances following his latest bout, which took place in May 2026 near the pyramids in Giza, Egypt. The Ukrainian's opponent was Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. Despite a challenging fight, Usyk won by technical knockout in the 11th round. According to Ukrainian sports publications, his record currently stands at 25 wins and zero losses, with 16 coming by knockout.
Context: plans for 2027
Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that Oleksandr Usyk's plans for 2027 had become known. Details of future fights and potential opponents have not yet been disclosed, but the visit to Riyadh and the boxer's public statements about his love for football and attachment to Saudi Arabia indicate that he continues to maintain an active presence in the international sports space between title and exhibition fights.
