Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo Score In Friendly: PSG Beat Saudi All-Stars
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Alaina
- . January 20, 2023
- . Update: January 20, 2023 6:48 pm
The Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi finale ended on Thursday in Riyadh, with PSG (Paris Saint-Germain) winning 5-4 against a combined XI of Saudi Arabian teams Al Nassr and Al Hilal.
Around 68,000 football fans were present at the King Fahd International Stadium. Thursday’s friendly began with Lionel Messi opening the scoring in the third minute. Later on, Cristiano Ronaldo found the equaliser after he successfully converted from the penalty spot. Marquinhos restored the lead by scoring in the 43rd minute. Kylian Mbappe, Hugo Ekitiké and Talisca also scored goals. Finally, PSG emerged as the winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo also scored two goals in the match. Thursday’s friendly was Ronaldo’s first game in Saudi Arabia since signing for the Al Nassr club.
Lineups: PSG: Navas; Hakimi, Ramos, Marquinhos, Bernat; Ruiz, Soler, Sanches; Messi, Neymar, Mbappe
Al Nassr-Al Hilal XI: Al Owais; Al Ghanam, Soo Jang, Al Bulayhi, Abdulhamid; Kanno, Gustavo, Pereira; Carilloa, Talisca, Ronaldo
Earlier this month, Ronaldo arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of his grand unveiling before his fans at Al Nassr club. The contract was signed between Ronaldo and the Saudi club for about 214 million dollars. With the signing of the deal, Ronaldo became the highest–paid athlete ever in history.
Read | Saudi Arabian businessman pays $2.6m to buy VIP ticket to see Ronaldo play Messi
Under the agreement, he would play for the Al-Nassr club until June 2025. The 37-year-old footballer expressed his happiness after signing the agreement.
Ronaldo ended his relationship with British Manchester United just days before the World Cup. The footballer reportedly lashed out at Manchester United during an interview. Later on, he joined the Saudi club. He said that he was impressed with the Al-Nassr club’s vision.
The footballer will be coached by the Frenchman Rudi Garcia and will be partnered by Alvaro Gonzalez at the Saudi club.
Earlier this month, Ronaldo’s FIFA 23 rating was slashed to its lowest in 12 years. Ronaldo’s FIFA 23 rating was 88, according to a report published by Sport Bible.
