Paris Saint-Germain will be in Saudi Arabia as part of its 2023 Qatar Tour to play a friendly against a team comprised of the best players from Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The matchup will feature Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, possibly for the last time in their careers. The 37-year-old signed with Al-Nassr this month after leaving Manchester United in November.
Now, for how long will football fans see Messi and Ronaldo on the pitch for this friendly? ESPN’s Rodrigo Fáez reported on Tuesday that the Portugal international is going to play at least 45 minutes.
Fáez didn’t specify whether those minutes for the former Real Madrid star will come in the first or second half. Nonetheless, if Messi starts for PSG, there’s no doubt that Ronaldo is playing those 45 minutes to start the game.
Additionally, the report states that this friendly has two million online ticket requests as many want to watch history on Thursday. Those attending the event could have the bragging rights of saying they witnessed the last game between Messi and Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, PSG will come away as a winner regardless of the result, considering the team is reporting earning around €10 million for the matchup.
Cristiano Ronaldo to use PSG friendly as first transfer request to Al-Nassr for next deal
According to Marca, the Saudi side are looking for a new goalkeeper after David Ospina suffered an injury. He’s been ruled out for up to six weeks at a crucial stage of the season for Rudi Garcia’s side.
The Spanish outlet report that Navas has been identified as Al-Nassr’s preferred target. This Thursday’s friendly in Riyadh is seen as a chance for Al-Nassr to open negotiations with Navas about a potential short-term deal.
And Ronaldo could potentially help broker any deal as he spent three years playing alongside Navas at Real Madrid. The pair won three consecutive Champions League trophies together, along with the La Liga title in 2017.
SOURCE: psgtalk.com, express.co.uk
