Lionel Messi’s Paris SG will play a friendly match in Riyadh on Thursday, January 19, against a selection of players from the Saudi clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, for which the Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo recently signed, reported Monday the French champion.
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As usual at this time of year since the club was owned by a Qatari fund (2011), the Parisians will travel to Doha on January 17 for a concentration and play several friendlies.
Beyond the financial aspect of the operation, the trip will serve this time for the two players who have dominated football in the last two decades to face each other face to face.
Cristiano, 37, has just committed to Al-Nassr until 2025, with a contract of 200 million euros, after leaving Manchester United in November.
The arrival of the Portuguese is part of the desire of the Saudi authorities to attract interest in their local championship with a view to the possible presentation of a joint candidacy (with Greece and Egypt) to organize the 2030 World Cup.
The rivalry between Messi (winner of seven Ballon d’Ors) and Ronaldo (five) has enlivened the world of football in recent years, especially in the period 2009-2011 when the Argentine was the star of FC Barcelona and the Portuguese of Real Madrid.
CR7 has not yet debuted with his new team. He should do so in a match for the Saudi Arabian soccer championship on Sunday, January 22, a source close to that club told AFP last Saturday. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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