The iconic photograph of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing chess has been recreated by rappers Drake and J Cole.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The photo of Ronaldo and Messi playing chess on a pile of Louis Vuitton luggage went viral before the 2022 World Cup, which Argentina would go on to win, crowning Messi’s career with arguably the greatest achievement imaginable. Drake and J Cole are set to tour North America together next year and, in the music video for their song First Person Shooter, the pair have recreated the iconic image.

THE GOSSIP

The two rappers have their fingers on the pulse of the zeitgeist and with the anniversary of Messi and Ronaldo’s photograph, they made sure to make some sort of reference to the snap. Ronaldo may want to forget the memory, however, as Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the tournament by Morocco.

DID YOU KNOW?

It may be telling that Drake has positioned himself in Messi’s position, while J Cole is taking the place of Ronaldo. Perhaps the two rappers see themselves as eternal rivals, much like the two football greats.

Ronaldo Messi

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI AND RONALDO?

Messi has been called up to Argentina’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. Ronaldo’s Portugal play Liechtenstein on Thursday before taking on Iceland on Monday.