On May 3, the William Scull at the Arena ANB in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) will host the return of Canelo Álvarez to the ring in pursuit of a new super middleweight title. Anticipation for the fight is at its peak, with many prominent figures expected to attend. However, one who might not be there is his friend Cristiano Ronaldo... for purely professional reasons.

The Relationship Between Cristiano Ronaldo and Canelo Álvarez

Some people might not know this, but Canelo Álvarez and Cristiano Ronaldo have maintained a close friendship for many years. In fact, they follow each other on Instagram, and on several occasions, Canelo Álvarez himself has said they speak on the phone. So, with his next fight taking place in Riyadh, he didn’t miss the chance to invite his friend Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently lives just a few miles away in Jeddah.

"Yes, of course, we already talked, he’s going to be there. Obviously, I’ll visit him at his training sessions while I’m there. And of course, he’s coming to the fight, he has to be there," said Canelo Álvarez in an interview with 'TUDN' when asked about Cristiano Ronaldo’s attendance. However, it now appears Cristiano Ronaldo may not be able to make it to the fight after all.

Here’s Why Cristiano Ronaldo Might Miss Canelo Álvarez’s Fight

This afternoon, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team Al-Nassr plays in the AFC Champions League semifinals against Kawasaki Frontale from Japan, competing for a spot in the final scheduled for May 4 in Saudi Arabia. Given the high level of professionalism that still defines Cristiano Ronaldo’s career, it seems unlikely he’ll attend the fight on the same night, just before playing a match that could earn him his first title since arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Despite what he said in the interview with 'TUDN', it’s assumed that Canelo Álvarez fully understands the reason behind what could be seen as a ‘betrayal’ by Cristiano Ronaldo. Nevertheless, just days away from the fight, he is now fully focused on what happens inside the ring. His goal is clear: to continue solidifying his status as the Mexican boxer with the most world title defenses.