Magnus Carlsen has a message for Ronaldo ahead of Esports World Cup: 'Don't know what Ronaldo has done on chessboard'

World No.1 chess player Magnus Carlsen has expressed a desire to play a chess match against football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on the sidelines of the Esports World Cup, which is being held in Saudi Arabia. The Esports World Cup is taking place in Riyadh, which is also the home of Ronaldo’s football club, Al Nassr.

Both Carlsen and Ronaldo are the global ambassadors for Esports World Cup and the five-time chess world champion Carlsen will take part in the inaugural EWC Chess Tournament from 29 to 31 July in Riyadh.

Carlsen hopes to play chess against Ronaldo

Speaking ahead of his tournament, Carlsen praised Ronaldo on a highly successful football career and hopes he gets to meet him or play chess with him during his time in Riyadh.

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“I personally don’t know what (Cristiano) Ronaldo has done on chess chessboard, but what he has done in his life, in his football career, is extremely impressive. So, I would certainly be very honoured if I could, you know, meet him or play chess while I’m here,” Carlsen said.

Carlsen is a massive football fan himself and regularly plays the English Premier League’s official Fantasy Football (FPL) game. He topped the Fantasy Football list officially for a brief period in December 2019.

The 34-year-old Norwegian also played an exhibition chess match against former Liverpool and now Real Madrid defender Alexander-Arnold, beating the footballer in 17 moves. And also said earlier this year that he would want to play chess against Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

Ronaldo signs mega deal with Al Nassr

Coming to Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been at Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr since January 2023. He recently signed a two-year extension contract that will keep him in the Middle Eastern country till 2027.

As per media reports, Ronaldo is set to rake in a lot of moolah with his new deal. The 40-year-old Ronaldo is set to earn nearly half a billion pounds (£492 million or US$677 million) with the new contract. It comes down to a mind-boggling earning of half a million pounds (£488,000 or US$671,898) per day until the age of 42.