Dejan Joveljić, the MLS striker for LAFC, just played GothamChess and proved he belongs in serious chess circles. The Serbian forward faced IM Levy Rozman in a competitive match, and his performance demonstrated he's not just dabbling. Joveljić plays at a level that separates him from the typical footballer who enjoys chess casually.
What makes this noteworthy: Joveljić has trained seriously enough to compete against a titled player. Rozman, one of the most visible chess educators online, doesn't pull punches in casual matches. The fact that Joveljić stepped into that arena and held his own says something about his actual strength.
Athletes across sports toy with chess. Mohamed Salah has played. Plenty of footballers claim the game sharpens their tactical thinking. But most operate at club level, playing friends or streaming apps. Joveljić went further. He sought out formal competition against someone with real credentials.
This raises an interesting question about chess among elite athletes. How many pros develop genuine skill versus dabbling for publicity? Joveljić appears to be in the first category. His willingness to play Rozman on camera, without needing hype or a guarantee of victory, suggests authentic interest and preparation.
MLS players juggling professional soccer and serious chess are rare. Joveljić might be the rarest.