“I hope this guy is not messing with me” – Francis Ngannou recollects memorable meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo

UFC star Francis Ngannou has opened up on his surprise meeting with Al Nassr maestro Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of his brawl with Tyson Fury this weekend. The mixed martial artist admitted to being star-struck upon coming face-to-face with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for the first time and revealed he initially thought it was a prank.

Francis Ngannou and Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to be destined to meet each other at the time. The two superstars coincidentally lodged at the same hotel earlier this year when someone from the footballer's camp spotted the UFC star and told him that the Portuguese icon is a fan of him.

Upon learning of Ngannou's presence, Ronaldo immediately requested the Cameroonian to be brought to his place and that was how they met each other. Recalling the episode, the former UFC heavyweight champion explained that he thought it was all an elaborate prank until he sighted the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

“We were sitting at the Four Seasons Hotel, which is where [Ronaldo] was living at the time," he told TNT Sports. "We met one of his guys named Richie. [He said:] ‘Actually, Cristiano is a big fan of Francis.’ Then he called Cristiano and he said: ‘Bring them up’ and they were in the pool and I'm like, even when I was going up: 'I hope this guy is not messing with me'."

He continued:

"Then we get up there and saw Cristiano and he was basically waiting on us and I was quite surprised. It's Cristiano, right? We shake hands, we greet each other, like: ‘Hey, what's up’ and he was very cool, very familiar at the same time."

“He was telling me stuff about me and how him and his family, they watch my fight at 4 am. I'm like, man, you don't know who really watches you. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't know me! But he knows me pretty good.”

What's next for Francis Ngannou and Cristiano Ronaldo?

Both Francis Ngannou and Cristiano Ronaldo will be in action this weekend. The Cameroonian fighter is set for what promises to be the biggest fight of his career so far as he squares off with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a boxing match in Riyadh on Saturday evening.

On the same day, Cristiano Ronaldo will also lead the attack when Al Nassr lock horns with Al Feiha in the Saudi Pro League. The Portugal captain is currently in sensational form, having bagged 14 goals and seven assists in 13 appearances since the campaign kicked off.

Should the duo both emerge victorious in their respective outings, they could end up meeting again. Who knows, maybe some sort of a mini party to foster their relationship before the fighter departs Saudi Arabia.