Football fans have been blown away by a latest picture released of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi together which oozes class.
The two long-term rivals have become icons of the game throughout their glittering careers - and have now teamed up to help produce an image for the ages. Both players are involved in the latest advertising campaign for fashion brand Louis Vuitton and were photographed sitting opposite each other at a chess board.
No strangers to coming up against one another, the two legends look 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.
Meanwhile, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo, in navy turtleneck jumper, watches on intently as he considers how he might counteract the Argentine. Both players shared the image on their social media accounts, along with the caption: "Victory is a State of Mind. A long tradition of crafting trunks."
Gobsmacked fans were quick to respond to the post as social media went into meltdown. One Twitter user said: "Will this be the most liked tweet in history." Others simply put "WOW" as they voiced their approval at the classy picture.
One fan wrote: "The greatest picture I've seen this year", while another eagle-eyed fan even pointed out that Ronaldo was winning, having one more piece on the board than Messi.
Who is the greatest - Ronaldo or Messi? Have your say in the comments below.
Others were astonished the pair had united for the campaign, with one user summing it up: "Messi and Ronaldo posted this Picture! They were in the studio together! It’s Madness!!
"What ever Louis Vuitton is planning to sell. It’s the fastest and easiest sellout ever. - This is one of the greatest pictures ever. What’s better than one goat [greatest of all time]. Two ."
While Messi and Ronaldo are on the same side for the campaign, they could be facing off for their countries next month if fate pits Argentina against Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar. The sides could meet in the knockout rounds if both progress from the group stage in what looks set to be their final World Cup each.
So often portrayed as fierce rivals, Ronaldo finally shed some light on his relationship with Messi in his tell-all interview with Piers Morgan for Talk TV this week. “Amazing player is magic, top… " Ronaldo said. "As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years. We share.
"So, I have great relationship with him. I'm not friend of him in terms of, what I mean friend is the guy who was with you in your house, speaking on the phone, no, but it's like a team-mate.
"He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speak about me. Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they're from Argentina. My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good. What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football.”
