I woke up, got my phone, scrolled through Instagram and saw this photo multiple times on my feed.
A photo of Messi and Ronaldo, two of the best ever to play the game, together, playing chess on a chequered Louis Vuitton suitcase.
It is already the 2nd most liked picture on Instagram (as of 20 Nov 2020). This will go down as one of the most iconic pictures of the 21st century. It will also become a meme.
The 2 legends did not meet to shoot the picture, however. They took it separately. This is the first time they have promoted the same brand.
LV was impeccable with the timing of the picture. Just less than 24 hours before the start of the World Cup, when the football excitement is at its highest and there are no distractions yet from the events of the games.
This might be the last time these two greats will play in a World Cup. With how the tournament has been bracketed, it’s improbable they will meet on the field. But imagine a Argentina vs Portugal final!
Being an LV advertisement, the chess position couldn’t be arbitrary. In the position, Messi is down a full bishop.
This chess position is based on an actual game played in 2017 between two famous Super Grandmasters, Magnus Carlsen (2832) and Hikaru Nakamura (2785). Ronaldo is playing as Carlsen with white, and Messi as Nakamura with black.
The game opened in a Najdorf Sicilian. Carlsen got a pawn up with an advantage but Nakamura managed to restore equality, before sacrificing his Knight on g4 to force a stalemate by 3-fold repetition, as the White King must stay to guard the f2 pawn.
It befits the Messi and Ronaldo rivalry that the game ended in a draw. Here is more information about the game.
Hmm… why not a game of larger stature, like a World Chess Championship game or a game between Kasparov and Carlsen, or Anand, or Kramnik, someone who’s been World Chess Champion before. Nakamura is more like a Bale, or a Lewandowski, or a Wesley Sneijder. Top players who are more than just world-class, but have never won a Ballon d’or.
I would have chosen a drawn game between Stockfish and Alphazero, underscoring Messi and Ronaldo’s almost superhuman-like abilities.
Also, why are Messi and Ronaldo thinking so intently about the position which is a non-complicated draw? I’m don’t think the Super GMs who played this game had to think especially hard about this position.
This morning I also got round to setting up my World Cup Fantasy Football team. I spent 2 hours researching and tinkering with my team, made some tough decisions and settled with this selection:
The World Cup version of Fantasy Football has very different rules to that of Fantasy Premier League, which has more streamlined rules.
In World Cup Fantasy, the whole concept of a gameweek/matchday is different, there are manual substitutions, different chips (boosters), less familiar players, no Bonus Points System and an opportunity to change your captain after he has played.
More on my selections:
I chose the team with a Matchday 2 wildcard planned, as the FPL experts are saying that there is somewhat of a loophole that can be exploited which allows you to have “free hits” in both Matchdays 2 and 3.
GK
Simon: Spain have a high chance of keeping a clean sheet against Costa Rica.
Rochet: If he gets the start over Muslera, he is a very cheap starting goalkeeper at just 4M. A nice back-up option to Simon if he doesn’t get a clean sheet as he plays against South Korea and is budget-friendly.
DEF
Dumfries: Netherlands play with a back 5 so he is a wing-back, and he seems to get involved in the attack.
Trippier: In excellent form in FPL with Newcastle, likely to be starting over Trent Alexander Arnold, and on free-kicks and corners for England. A good attacking wing-back/full-back as well who likes to get forward and is good at crossing. Good chance of a clean sheet against Iran too. Surprisingly cheap at 5M.
Maehle: Budget enabler at 4.5M, a wing-back if Denmark play a back 5. Did well in previous tournaments.
Shaw: Wing-back in a back 5 for England. Sure to start as he’s the only left-back for England. Good chance of points against Iran. (Update on 21.11.22: Reports have come out saying England will lineup in a 4-3-3.)
Cancelo: Has demonstrated his attacking abilities very well in the Number 7 shirt for Manchester City. Against Ghana, Portugal have good clean sheet odds.
MID
Di Maria: Argentina face a weak opponent in Saudi Arabia, so he may get hauls.
De Paul: Excellent enabler at just 5M given he is a nailed-on starter for Argentina. May be involved in goals and assists.
Bergwijn: Heard that he starts as part of a front 2 for Netherlands. Advanced roles for midfielders are favourable to xPoints.
Olsen: Plays as part of a front 3 for Denmark. Got to be in my team for that position and price. Denmark have exceeded expectations in recent tournaments and face weak opposition in Tunisia.
Trossard: In good form for Premier League club Brighton. May not start but Belgium play against one of the weakest teams Canada and he may get some goal involvements. Cheap enabler.
FWD
Messi: A no-brainer for me as he’s Messi. The most selected player in the game.
Kane: Top scorer of the previous World Cup. If he can score so many playing with his Spurs teammates, I imagine he could be more prolific in front of goal with England’s best stars around him. May score some penalties too.
Neymar: In blistering form for PSG. Even with Brazil’s attacking depth, surely he won’t be a rotation risk?
12th Man booster played
Selected the most expensive player in the game, Mbappe against Australia. With Benzema out, he’ll be more of a focal point for France’s goalscoring.
Captain and Bench
Due to the unique rules of World Cup Fantasy, it is more optimal to captain a player who he plays earlier in a Matchday and bench players who play later in a Matchday.
Tough Decisions
I went with Kane/Neymar instead of De Bruyne. It is a big risk as he has significantly higher ownership than the both of them. Hope De Bruyne doesn’t get a huge haul against Canada, which he very well may.
I took Trossard + Shaw over Perisic + a 3M defender. Given the rule about manual substitutions, I decided it is better to have more solid bench options so as many players as possible in the Starting XI can have a return.
Sadly, I have decided not to watch the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador. It starts at midnight for me, they’re not exactly the most exciting teams to watch (the only 2 players I know are Brighton’s Caicedo and Estupinan!) and I have to wake up at 0630 on weekdays to report to camp, so it’s not really worth the weariness of the following day. But I’ll definitely watch Senegal vs Netherlands which is also at midnight, the next day. Spain-Costa Rica and Portugal-Ghana (midnight games) I’ll be sure to catch too.
I’ll look forward to watching my first game of this World Cup at 9pm tomorrow, England vs Iran. I plan to watch it at the country club instead of at home to feel the World Cup atmosphere.
Ecuador are clear favourites to win Qatar. Interestingly, in the tournament’s 92-year history, the World Cup hosts have never lost their opening game, so Qatar might get an unwanted record. There are rumours saying Qatar has bribed Ecuadorian players to lose the game but I am doubtful of that. If it’s true, it would be interesting to see how Ecuador throws the game away under the noses of the whole world.
Update on 21.11.22:
With reports saying that England will lineup in a 4-3-3, here is my predicted starting XI:
Goalkeeper: Pope
Defenders: Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw
Midfielders: Bellingham, Rice, Maddison
Forwards: Foden, Kane, Sterling
BLOGOPUS 