Legendary chess champion Magnus Carlsen has revealed that he was once told to say his favourite player was Cristiano Ronaldo during an interview with Real Madrid.
The five-time World Chess Champion who reportedly has an IQ of 190, told all on the Lex Fridman podcast and gave his true thoughts on who he believes is the greatest footballer of all time.
'I think it's pretty hard to make a case for anybody else than [Lionel] Messi for his all-round game,' admitted the 31-year-old.
'My Real Madrid fandom sort of predates the Ronaldo era - the second Ronaldo, not the first one [Ronaldo Nazario].
'I always liked Ronaldo but I always kind of thought that Messi was better.'
Carlsen is no stranger to the Santiago Bernabeu and told podcast listeners that he has been to watch the 14-time European Cup winners on many occasions before revealing the club told him to switch his personal choice on the club's favourite player during the interview.
The chess star said: 'I went to quite a number of Madrid games and they've always been super helpful to me down there. The only thing is that they were going to do an interview and they were going to ask me who my favourite player was.
'I said somebody else, I think it was Isco at that point, and they were like: 'Okay, take two, now you say Ronaldo'.
'So for them it was very important, but it wasn't that huge to me.'
Both players have taken a back seat in recent years from the spotlight of La Liga's two football giants.
Messi is now plying his trade at Paris Saint-Germain, sharing the spotlight with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe whilst Ronaldo's Manchester United future is unclear as he desperately searches for an escape route before Thursday's transfer deadline.
Kaninani
270
A true football fan won't skip
Richyrichcfc93765
104
I believe Real Madrid are still the one who asked you to make this confession since CR7 has departed Santiago Benarbeau !.
Football⚽/Fan
40
MENCHESTER UNITED LEGENDS/PLAYERS 1) DIMITAR BERBATOV - “He's the f***ing greatest. Ronaldo is brilliant, Messi is more my kind of player. He sees the game so clearly. He can score, create, he's the complete player, the best ever probably.” 2) Paul Scholes- "I think about the great players with whom I have shared a pitch: Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo -- and the greatest of them all is Messi." 3) David Beckham-- "He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him. He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest." 4) Wayne Rooney--Despite my friendship with Ronaldo I'd go for Messi.. 5)Ryan Giggs -"Obviously I lean towards Ronaldo a little bit because I played with him and saw him develop as a player. But Messi is a genius, he’s a once in a lifetime player. It’s as simple as that.”
nowhereee
38
Not just of football but of every sports .The Greatest Athlete of all time 👌
Mangisha
29
I like how this guy put it. "I always liked Ronaldo but I always kind of thought Messi was better". I truly believe anyone who has eyes that see can also tell Ronaldo is great but Messi is still that "little" bit better. The man is an all game- assist, dribble, playmaker, scorer...you've all that in one player. All just 1/2 of those in one player. Which would be your choice?
BrightberrySS
25
CHEAPEST CHARACTER OF ALL TIME
lunciklmn
19
We all know 90% of those who chose Ronaldo over Messi have been paid by Perez or his agent Mendes to say that in the media. Even Modric once said Messi is a very great player but for them, so far as they’re in Madrid they’re compelled to choose Ronaldo over Messi. Kroos also said the same recently. Only those with big balls who played with Ronaldo openly choose Messi and they even get criticised by the media for doing so. We know Ronaldo has always been a paid media project… 😁😁😁
markrodney
9
A true football fan won't skip
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just ask for our prayers and stop this "true football fan won't skip" bit it's becoming annoying now, you get a reluctant like just because I have humanity