In a light-hearted yet sharply analytical remark that has now gone viral among chess and football fans alike, world chess champion Magnus Carlsen took a playful dig at football icon Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the upcoming Esports World Cup, where chess is set to feature as a competitive title. Carlsen, widely regarded as one of the greatest chess minds in history, questioned Ronaldo’s relevance to the sport in a cheeky manner, stating, “I don’t know what Ronaldo has done on a chessboard.”
What triggered Carlsen’s comment?
Carlsen’s statement came in response to promotional campaigns for the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which has roped in global brand ambassadors across sports and entertainment, including Cristiano Ronaldo. While Ronaldo is associated with football, Saudi organisers are promoting him as a face of the overall event, which features chess alongside gaming titles like Fortnite, Dota 2, and FIFA.
Speaking at a press conference during his training camp, Carlsen remarked:
“I don’t know what Ronaldo has done on a chessboard. Maybe he’ll be an inspiration for the gamers, but when it comes to chess, I think I’ll stick to following Garry Kasparov or Bobby Fischer.”
Magnus Carlsen: Chess icon and Esports star
At 33, Magnus Carlsen remains the world’s highest-rated chess player. His participation in the Esports World Cup has boosted the tournament’s profile within traditional sports circuits. His career highlights include:
- Five-time World Chess Champion
- Peak FIDE rating of 2882 (highest in history)
- Transitioning into professional online rapid and blitz tournaments
- Founder of Play Magnus Group, which merged with Chess.com in 2022
Carlsen’s dominance in both over-the-board and online chess tournaments cements his status as a global esports star in the mind sport category.
Esports World Cup 2025: Key details
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Dates | July-August 2025 |
| Featured Titles | Chess, Fortnite, FIFA, Dota 2, Valorant, PUBG Mobile, and more |
| Prize Pool | USD 45 million (combined across games) |
| Notable Participants | Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Cristiano Ronaldo (as ambassador), top esports organisations |
Why is chess part of Esports World Cup?
Saudi Arabia has heavily invested in esports infrastructure and sees chess as a strategic inclusion to bridge intellectual sports with fast-paced gaming. Chess has seen massive online growth post-pandemic, with platforms like Chess.com reporting over 100 million registered users worldwide.
Carlsen vs Ronaldo: A playful rivalry?
While Carlsen’s remark was humorous, fans speculated whether it hints at broader crossover marketing plans:
- Ronaldo’s brand value can attract global viewership to chess streams.
- Carlsen’s competitive mindset ensures he maintains chess’s intellectual exclusivity in the event.
- Potential celebrity chess matches featuring Ronaldo for promotional content cannot be ruled out, especially given the Kingdom’s push for entertainment-driven sports diplomacy.
Social media reactions
Carlsen’s cheeky comment instantly trended on Twitter and Instagram. Fans reacted:
- @futbol_chess: “Carlsen wins the pre-game banter battle. Ronaldo better learn the Sicilian Defence quickly!”
- @ronaldofan07: “CR7 doesn’t need to play chess. He IS the king of football.”
- @carlsenarmy: “Magnus proving once again he’s the GOAT of mind games.”
Chess community views
Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura responded in his Twitch stream:
“Magnus is just being Magnus. He’s right though – I doubt Ronaldo knows how to checkmate with a bishop and knight. But hey, it’s great publicity for chess overall.”
Former world champion Viswanathan Anand commented diplomatically during a YouTube analysis session:
“Any big name linked to an event involving chess is good. It makes chess more visible to the wider sports audience.”
What Ronaldo’s team said
Cristiano Ronaldo has not issued a direct response. However, his PR team stated in an interview with a Saudi sports portal:
“Cristiano appreciates Magnus Carlsen’s achievements and looks forward to seeing chess thrive in the Esports World Cup.”
Ronaldo’s presence in the promotional materials is reportedly part of a multi-sport ambassadorial deal with Saudi Arabia as he plays for Al-Nassr FC.
Magnus Carlsen’s preparation for the World Cup
Ahead of the Esports World Cup, Carlsen has focused on:
- Rapid and blitz practice games against elite GMs.
- Opening novelty preparation to surprise online opponents.
- Collaborating with AI-based analysis engines to enhance precision.
- Maintaining fitness and concentration routines – famously including football sessions for mental refreshment.
Impact of Saudi Arabia’s investments on chess
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) continues its push to diversify the nation’s sports and gaming portfolio by:
- Hosting major chess tournaments since 2017 (Rapid & Blitz World Championship)
- Sponsoring global esports events
- Investing in youth chess development programs across the Middle East
Chess Federation officials believe this inclusion will:
- Enhance the game’s commercial profile
- Encourage young minds in the region to take up chess professionally
- Foster cross-sport collaborations in branding and coaching
What lies ahead for chess in esports?
The Esports World Cup’s decision to include chess signifies a paradigm shift where intellectual sports merge seamlessly with high-speed electronic games. It broadens the event’s demographic appeal, positioning chess as a premier digital sport with global competitiveness.
Conclusion
Magnus Carlsen’s humorous dig at Cristiano Ronaldo has added a new dimension of celebrity banter to the Esports World Cup 2025 build-up. Whether Ronaldo responds directly remains to be seen, but chess fans eagerly await Carlsen’s dominance on the digital board in Riyadh as he cements his brand as the undisputed king of chess, even as football royalty shares the same stage.
Disclaimer
This news article is based on publicly available press conferences, social media statements, and esports event announcements as of July 2025. Readers are advised to check official tournament websites for final participant lists and schedules. This publication does not take responsibility for any commercial decisions made based on this content.
