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Chess champion 'forced to say Cristiano Ronaldo is favourite player' by Real Madrid
Real Madrid chiefs were so desperate to solidify Cristiano Ronaldo's reputation as the world's greatest footballer they reportedly forced World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsén to state the Portuguese legend was his favourite player.Chess grandmaster, Magnus Carlsén, 31, is a lifelong fan of Los Blancos but, unlike hardcore Madridistas, the Norwegian believes Ballon d'Or rival Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time. Carlsén told the Lex Fridman podcast he was interviewed by the club following his successful defence of the world title, but was told to change his answer when he failed to state Ronaldo was his favourite player.READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel 'said no' to Cristiano Ronaldo after Ralf Rangnick told him to steer clear"I think it’s pretty hard to make a case for anybody else than [Lionel] Messi for his all-round game," said Carlsén.