Anthony Joshua would love to see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo go head-to-head in a Misfits boxing match – and while declaring it to be a close contest, he’s backed the Portuguese star to emerge victorious.

The British heavyweight boxer, 33, is currently enjoying some time off after beating Robert Helenius via a seventh-round KO at the 02 Arena in London last month.

And the big football fan has said that he would love to see two icons of the team sport go head-to-head to continue their personal rivalry in the fighting arena.  

In an interview posted on YouTube, Joshua was asked to name two non-boxers he’d love to see fight based on personalities alone, and responded with ‘Ronaldo versus Messi’, taking one of modern football’s fiercest rivalries into a new battleground. 

When asked who wins, Joshua said ‘Ronaldo’, before adding: ‘I love Messi and Ronaldo. Messi’s got that vision though. I can imagine him bobbing and weaving, angles, but yeah, it’d be tough. They’re both as good as each other.’

Joshua refused to name a non-boxer that he would like to meet in the ring in a cross-over fight, saying ‘I got no beef with no one’.

When faced with the idea of facing the Portuguese icon was put to him, Joshua said: ‘Nah, I respect Ronaldo.’ 

The suggestion of a hypothetical fight between two other football rivals was floated as well – Romelu Lukaku versus Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In response to that, Joshua said: ‘Yeah, they don’t like each other anyway, do they? That would be a bad boy fight too, to be fair.’

Lukaku has made a name for himself with Serie A side Inter Milan, and has joined Roma on loan from Chelsea for this season, while Ibrahimovic retired from football at the end of last season after a long career which saw him finish with AC Milan.  

Joshua, a two-time world champion, is expected to face Deontay Wilder next in a mega-money bout in Saudi Arabia before the end of 2023.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his first trophy since joining Al-Nassr, despite leaving the match on a stretcher after suffering an injury blow. 

Al-Nassr came from behind against Al-Hilal to win the Arab Club Champions Cup, thanks to two goals from the Portuguese superstar, but his night was almost overshadowed by a late injury that saw him exit the match. 

With five minutes left of the game, Ronaldo went down clutching his left thigh and was unable to complete the rest of the final. 

He left the game on a motorised stretcher, looking in some distress, giving the Saudi side some huge concerns over their talisman.

However, the 38-year-old was able to join in the team’s celebrations on winning the trophy, the first piece of silverware Ronaldo has tasted since his move to the middle east. 

Al-Hilal took the early advantage in the tie, as Brazilan midfielder Michael opened the scoring five minutes after half time, before Ronaldo took over proceedings. 

He first, equalised for Al-Nassr fifteen minutes from the end, before thinking he’d settled the contest with a late goal that was ruled out for offside. 

Instead, the game went into extra time, but still Ronaldo had the last word. 

Heading home the winner in the first half of the extended period to secure the trophy for his team. 

The goals saw the Portuguese icon become the tournaments top scorer with six goals, as he secured his first trophy since joining the club in January. 

Al-Nassr will now hope there is no long-term repercussions of the injury that forced Ronaldo out of the game before the end. 

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a second-half penalty as Al Nassr beat Al Ta’ee to narrow the gap on leaders Al-ittihad to three points with three games to go.

The spot kick was awarded after the VAR sent the referee to consult the pitchside monitor following a challenge on Asulaihem in the box.

And Ronaldo slotted home his fifth penalty this season in the 48th minute.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had scored just one goal in his last four games.

Ronaldo went close with a first-half header which went straight into the arms of the Al Ta’ee goalkeeper.

And he was denied again by a fine save from Braga a few minutes later after finding space on the edge of the box.

Talisca doubled the visitors advantage late on after a mix up on the edge of the box. 

Leaders leaders Al-ittihad were held to a 2-2 draw by fourth-placed Al Hilal as their lead at the top of the table was cut to three points on Tuesday night.