Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo joined forces to create one of the most iconic sporting images of the year ahead of the World Cup.

It’s expected to be the last World Cup for Messi and Ronaldo, who are both on the late side of their 30s.

The two football legends were pictured together playing chess in a photoshoot for Louis Vuitton.

Ronaldo has now spoken about the viral photo, claiming that he’d like to give his rival a checkmate if they face each other in the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo said: “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, it would be magic to happen in football as well.”