“I don’t know what Ronaldo has done on a chessboard, but I’d be honoured to play him” – Magnus Carlsen
Highlights:
- Carlsen invites Ronaldo to play chess at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
- Praises Ronaldo’s career, says he’d be honored to meet or play with him.
- Ronaldo signs £492M deal with Al Nassr, staying till 2027.
In an exciting crossover between the worlds of football and chess, five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen has thrown down a friendly challenge to football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. As both icons prepare to serve as global ambassadors for the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Carlsen expressed his wish to play a chess match with Ronaldo during the tournament.
Carlsen vs Ronaldo: From the Field to the Board
Carlsen, ranked World No. 1 in chess, is set to compete in the inaugural EWC Chess Tournament, taking place from July 29 to 31. He mentioned that while he has no idea about Ronaldo’s chess skills, he admires the footballer’s career deeply:
“I personally don’t know what Ronaldo has done on a chessboard, but what he has done in his football career is extremely impressive,” said Carlsen. “I would certainly be very honoured if I could meet him or play chess while I’m here.”
Interestingly, Carlsen is no stranger to the world of football. A huge fan of the English Premier League, he even topped the Fantasy Premier League leaderboard for a brief period in December 2019. He has previously played chess with footballers like Trent Alexander-Arnold (whom he beat in 17 moves), and expressed interest in facing Mohamed Salah next.
Ronaldo’s Middle East Move
Ronaldo, who has been playing for Saudi club Al Nassr since January 2023, recently signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2027. According to reports, the deal is worth £492 million (\$677 million), amounting to around £488,000 (\$671,898) per day — a record-breaking sum in sports contracts.
Also Read:“Barcelona Maintains Future Stake; Pablo Torre Secures Promising Move to Mallorca for €5M”
Esports World Cup: Where Worlds Collide
The Esports World Cup in Riyadh is shaping up to be a grand spectacle, bringing together top names across multiple disciplines. With both Ronaldo and Carlsen serving as ambassadors, the event is not just about digital gaming — it’s about celebrating competition, strategy, and passion across domains.
Whether or not Ronaldo accepts Carlsen’s chess challenge, fans around the world are already intrigued by this unique intersection of football finesse and strategic mastery.
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