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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that it "would be beautiful" to 'checkmate' Lionel Messi at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo and Messi recently shared a photo of themselves playing a game of chase in a promotional campaign for Louis Viton.
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Ronaldo faced the media ahead of Portugal's opening World Cup fixture against Ghana on Thursday, November 14.
Speaking to the media, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said about Messi (via The Sun):
"Being honest I would like to be the one to give a checkmate against him (Messi). Let's see. It would be beautiful. As it happened in the chess (photo) it would be magic for it to happen in football as well."
Ronaldo and Messi have been eternal rivals for over a decade. Winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup would be a crown jewel for either and would potentially settle the GOAT debate in one's favor, checkmating the other.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo speaks about the timing of his interview with Piers Morgan
Ronaldo's explosive interview with Piers Morgan came just a few days before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Many have criticized the timing of the interview, where he denounced Manchester United. However, Ronaldo is not worried at all. He told the media (via ESPN):
"Timing is always timing, From your side it is easy to look at how we can choose timings. Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don't have to worry what others think. I talk when I want to. Everybody knows who I am, what I believe in."
Ronaldo further provided an update on his fitness and Portugal's chances in the ongoing showpiece event in Qatar, saying:
"I feel good, I had a small problem, but I'm already recovered. We've been doing good training, and I feel prepared to start the World Cup in the best way. I'm fine. I believe we have enormous potential. I believe [we can win] and I have that feeling, but we have to start well with Ghana, which is the hardest."
Portugal are in Group H alongside Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea.
