The Portugal captain hopes to get one over his old rival ahead of their fifth World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he would like to be the one to ‘checkmate’ Lionel Messi at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
These comments came after the two superstars posed for an iconic photograph playing a game of chess on a Louis Vuitton briefcase, one day before the start of the World Cup in Qatar.
“I loved doing that campaign with Louis Vuitton. It was a dream to be invited as an ambassador,” Ronaldo said in a press conference on Monday.
“I’m very confident and optimistic that everything will go well. I would like to be the player to checkmate Messi. It happened in the chess game and in football, it would be magic.”
Victory is a State of Mind. A long tradition of crafting trunks photographed by @annieleibovitz for @LouisVuitton pic.twitter.com/0TsieZP40P
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 19, 2022
Will the World Cup change the GOAT debate?
The Ronaldo-Messi debate remains a hot topic, with many fans still divided on who is the best of the two. The forwards have dominated the big stage for over a decade, and in the eyes of many, are two of the greatest footballers in history.
But as neither Ronaldo nor Messi have won a World Cup yet, could glory in Qatar settle the GOAT debate?
“Even if I win the World Cup, that debate will continue,” Ronaldo added.
“Some people like me more, some people like me less, like in life, some like blondes, some like brunettes.
“The World Cup will always be a showcase. But if you tell me you won’t win any more tournaments in your career, I would still be happy, given all I have achieved.
“I’m proud of all my achievements. It will be a dream obviously. Let’s see, I hope all the energy is on the right side, on our side.”
Ronaldo and Portugal will begin their World Cup campaign on Thursday against Ghana in Group H.
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