Messi and Ronaldo square up in iconic chess photo
Two of the world’s undisputed biggest names in football, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi lit up social media a day before the first kickoff at the FIFA World Cup 2022, with their iconic first joint promotion photo.
Both players were involved in the latest advertising campaign for fashion brand Louis Vuitton and were photographed sitting opposite each other at a chess board by American portrait photographer, Annie Leibovitz.
The two legends looked engrossed in their game as they pit their wits on a board fashioned from a Louis Vuitton branded suitcase.
Sporting a grey round-neck jumper with sleeves rolled up to bear his tattoos, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is holding one hand on his chin as he ponders his next move.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo who wore a navy turtleneck jumper, watches on intently as he considers how he might counteract the Argentine.
They both shared the photo with the caption “Victory is a State of Mind. A long tradition of crafting trunks.”
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
The football legends will begin their World Cup campaigns in the coming days. Messi and his Argentina teammates take on Saudi Arabia on November 22, while Ronaldo and Portugal face Ghana on November 24.
Lionel Messi is playing his last FIFA World Cup in his own words. Messi has achieved everything in football except for the glory of the World Cup. Heading into the Qatar World Cup, Messi has enjoyed good goal-scoring form for his club PSG. The star forward has netted 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 19 club appearances this season.
