Drake Honors Real Madrid Legend in Latest Music Video

In his latest music video featuring J. Cole, global music sensation Drake has paid tribute to an iconic moment in football history—the instantly iconic photograph of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing chess together ahead of the 2022 World Cup. The duo, widely regarded as two of the greatest footballers of all time, posed for Louis Vuitton in a photo that quickly became one of the most recognizable images of modern times.

Released almost a year after Messi and Ronaldo’s chess match, the photograph received over 75 million likes on Instagram, solidifying its status as a symbol of football greatness. Drake, known for his appreciation of sports and cultural references, incorporated this iconic image into his music video, celebrating the legacy of the two football legends.

While the hoped-for World Cup final clash between Portugal and Argentina did not materialize, with Argentina ultimately winning the tournament, the image remains a testament to the enduring greatness of Messi and Ronaldo. Despite differing World Cup outcomes for each player, the chess match moment continues to resonate in popular culture, transcending football to inspire artistic interpretations like Drake’s latest music video.