Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar embrace after meeting in Saudi Arabia ahead of Tyson Fury's clash with Oleksandr Usyk as the stars prepare to watch unification bout

Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar were seen deep in conversation before Tyson Fury's bout against Oleksandr Usyk.

A number of celebrities were in attendance in Riyadh for the bout as the heavyweight division looked to crown an undisputed champion for the first time this century.

Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has been a regular at big fights in the middle east and was seen posing alongside Fury, Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou before the latter two faced off in March.


Sat alongside Joshua for the big fight on Saturday, the footballer was a large focus of attention as the build to the main event continued inside the Kingdom Arena.

Before the main event got underway, the 39-year-old was approached by former rival and fellow football superstar Neymar, and the two engaged in a brief conversation before embracing.

Neymar (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right) embraced prior to Tyson Fury's fight with Oleksandr Usyk
The two stars, who play in the Saudi Pro League, were seen deep in conversation

Neymar (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right) embraced prior to Tyson Fury's fight with Oleksandr Usyk

Ronaldo was situated on the front row for the fight, sat next to Anthony Joshua (left)

Ronaldo was situated on the front row for the fight, sat next to Anthony Joshua (left)

Neymar, a former rival of Ronaldo, now plays in the Saudi Pro League alongside the forward

Neymar, a former rival of Ronaldo, now plays in the Saudi Pro League alongside the forward

The two stars were rivals for a number of years, clashing on countless occasions while Ronaldo was at Real Madrid and Neymar Barcelona.

They are still opponents to this day, with Neymar's Al-Hilal winning the Saudi Pro League title this season ahead of Ronaldo's side.

Saturday's embrace was, however, friendly, and the duo appeared to share a joke before Neymar, who is a two-time team-mate of Ronaldo's greatest rival, Lionel Messi, made his way to his seat.

Joshua was seen sat next to Ronaldo during the conversation.

Asked who he was supporting for the fight, Neymar said: 'Tyson, of course, but it's a great fight, it's an amazing fight.'

Though injured, he is signed to Al-Hilal, the winners of the current season in the country

Though injured, he is signed to Al-Hilal, the winners of the current season in the country

Ronaldo, meanwhile, plays for Al-Nassr, who have finished second in the season's standings

Ronaldo, meanwhile, plays for Al-Nassr, who have finished second in the season's standings

Steven Gerrard echoed Neymar's views with his prediction for who he thinks will come out on top in the fight
Gerrard admitted he is 'an armchair fan' but wanted to attend for the undisputed fight

Steven Gerrard echoed Neymar's views with his prediction for who he thinks will come out on top in the fight 

The forward's support was echoed by former Liverpool star and Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard, who entered Fury's dressing room prior to the bout to give his support.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Gerrard said: 'I'm normally an armchair when it comes to boxing, I'm a big fan but I like to watch it on TV.

'When it is undisputed, when it is Tyson Fury, when it is so big, when it's in Saudi, I've got to be here to witness it.

'Tyson all the way,  I have been a huge fan for a very long time. I'm not boxing expert but the size, the reach, the weight, what I've seen him do before. I think he is going to be up against a very awkward customer, we all know that, but Tyson Fury all day long.'