cristiano ronaldo will compete in Saudi Arabia for the first time since joining Al Nassr after he was named captain of Riyadh ST XI for an exhibition match against Lionel Messi‘S Paris Saint-Germainofficials announced on Monday.
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The 37-year-old will lead a team of players from Saudi Arabian sides Al Hilal and Al Nassr against Messi’s PSG in the latest chapter of the famous showdown. Sources told ESPN that Ronaldo will play 45 minutes with the decision made in coordination with Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia to give the player a few minutes before his club debut on Sunday.
The squad also featured Saudi international players Salem Al-Dawsariwho scored in the shock victory in the previous group stage Argentina during last year’s World Cup, and Saud Abdulhamid.
The match is highly anticipated over 2 million ticket requests onlinewill take place in Riyadh on Thursday.
Bidding for a “Beyond Imagination” VIP ticket to the match has reached $2.66 million in an auction that will end on Tuesday.
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Ronaldo missed his first two domestic matches for Al Nassr after being suspended by the Football Association for snatching his phone from a fan’s hand in April.
The Portugal forward arrived at Al Nassr earlier this month under a deal until 2025 that is estimated by the media to be worth more than $216.34 million.
Ronaldo is set to have his first Saudi Pro League game on Sunday when Al Nassr host Al Ettifaq.
