Ronaldo could play first game in Saudi Arabia against Messi and PSG
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first game since moving to Saudi Arabia could see him locking horns with old rival Lionel Messi in a friendly match against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Portugal international signed for Saudi outfit Al Nassr in December after his controversial exit from Manchester United following an explosive interview on British television in which he was heavily critical of the Premier League club.
Ronaldo has yet to play for his new club as he must serve a two-match domestic suspension imposed by the English Football Association for knocking a phone out of a fan’s hand after Manchester United’s defeat at Everton in April.
The 37-year-old would however be free to play for an all-star XI made up of players from Al Nassr and rival club Al Hilal in a newly-arranged friendly against Messi’s PSG in Riyadh on January 19. The French club confirmed the fixture on Monday as they announced a short tour to the Middle East.
Messi returned to training with PSG last week after being given two weeks off following Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar in December.
Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the sport over the past 15 years, winning the Ballon d’Or 12 times between them.
Their rivalry grew during nine years in which they came up against each other in Spain, when Messi was starring for Barcelona and Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
Ronaldo was out for Friday’s league game against Al Ta’ee and will miss the match against Al Shabab on Saturday. He is set to make his debut against Ettifaq on January 22 – unless he plays against Messi’s PSG.
