Cristiano Ronaldo could face Lionel Messi as Paris Saint-Germain set to play 'all-star XI' in Riyadh friendly

ByRob Hemingway

Updated 09/01/2023 at 12:04 GMT

Exhibition season is nearly upon us, but in Riyadh it's set to be one of the more meaningful ones of recent times as Paris Saint-Germain are set to face an 'all-star XI' comprised of players from Saudi Arabia's top clubs, Al Hilal and Al Nassr, with a certain Cristiano Ronaldo likely to make his first appearance since moving to the latter. And across from him could be Lionel Messi.

Cristiano Ronaldo looks likely to face Lionel Messi as Paris Saint-Germain are set to play an 'all-star XI' in a friendly in Riyadh on January 19.

PSG confirmed the fixture will form part of the French champions' traditional winter tour, which will see them spend time in Doha, Qatar, and then Saudi Arabia between January 17-19.

The Saudi XI that PSG will face is set to contain players from the country's top clubs, Al Hilal and Al Nassr, and with Ronaldo having moved to the latter, he will line up opposite PSG's Messi - provided the Argentine features - with Ronaldo's presence in the team confirmed by Al Nassr boss Rudi Garcia.

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It would be the Portuguese's first game since joining Al Nassr, albeit not in their colours.

The timing of the match has not gone down well with Garcia however, who reportedly told L'Equipe: "As the coach of Al Nassr, I cannot be happy with this match.

"For development, to see PSG, to see the great Parisian players, indeed it is a good thing. But we have a championship game three days later.

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“In terms of scheduling, it could have been better thought out."

Cristiano Ronaldo

Image credit: Getty Images

As for Ronaldo's actual Al Nassr debut, Garcia expects that to come against Ettifaq on January 22, after the Portuguese forward has served his suspension that was hanging over from his time with Manchester United in the Premier League.

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