Oleksandr Usyk beats World Cup winner in professional football match as champion braves awful conditions

Oleksandr Usyk took on and beat Thomas Muller’s Vancouver Whitecaps when lacing up his boots for a pre-season friendly.

Current unified heavyweight world champion Usyk has regularly stated his love for the ‘Beautiful Game’, and has a great relationship with Ukranian side FC Polissya Zhytomyr.

Instagram / usykaa

Usyk previously made an appearance for the now top-division side when they played in the second tier, coming on as a substitute in a victory over NK Veres Rivne in February 2022.

And that was all while preparing to face Anthony Joshua in a world title clash in London.

Now, with his next fight yet to be announced, Usyk took to the pitch again for Polissya.

The appearance came as part of his previous signed agreement of ‘football cooperation’ with the outfit, and it saw him travel with the squad to Marbella, Spain.

Usyk came up against US outfit Vancouver Whitecaps, who had German icon and former World Cup winner Thomas Muller in their armory.

He entered the field as a substitute in the 75th minute, making a 15-minute cameo, looking to deliver a finish similar to that he delivered against Daniel Dubois in his last fight in July.

Unfortunately, the Ukrainian icon was unable to get on the scoresheet, but proved a nuisance to defenders, as his side picked up a 2-0 victory.

He was even seen during the match showing his strength against a defender, who initially tried to hold him off, but then decided against pursuing a physical altercation with Usyk.

It was truly awful conditions on the pitch, with the ball sliding around at great pace as rain poured down and heavy winds swirled.

Usyk was saturated as he left the pitch, but then finally got the moment fans hoped for as he met Muller in the tunnel.

Usyk meets Muller after football match

The pair didn’t share the pitch at the same time, with Muller rested and withdrawn from the action before Usyk made his bow.

But they did meet as they went back to the dressing rooms, with the pair beaming as they greeted each other.

The former two-time Champions League medallist grabbed a photo with ‘The Cat’, as the pair shook hands and even embraced.

Muller has had a similar level of achievement to Usyk during his career, and is widely regarded as one of the modern era greats.

The bagsman finished as Germany’s seventh all-time highest goalscorer, while netting 13 Bundesliga titles as a lengthy servant for European giants Bayern Munich.

Usyk’s next fight

Usyk can continue in football for now, but may soon get the call to enter training camp for his next squared circle showdown.

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He looked set to meet Deontay Wilder in 2026, but the bout is delayed while the American meets Derek Chisora.

Instead, the title holder is in talks with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing over a promotional move that could finally get his next outing over the line.

And he has been heavily linked to making a voluntary defence against Andy Ruiz Jr in the coming months.