20230111_Cristiano_Ronaldo(C)Getty images

Ronaldo vs Messi is a go! CR7 set to captain Saudi All-Star XI in friendly against Leo's PSG

  • Ronaldo presented with captain's armband
  • Saudi All-Star XI will take on PSG
  • Fans get another Ronaldo vs Messi clash

WHAT HAPPENED? Ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's friendly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have been confirmed as the captain for the Saudi All-Star XI that will take to the field, comprised of a mixture of players from Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: The news was confirmed in a tweet posted from the account of Turki Al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia's current chairman of general authority for entertainment, where a video was attached showing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner receiving the armband and his shirt for Thursday's friendly.

AND WHAT'S MORE: The friendly on Thursday will be the first time Messi and Ronaldo have faced off since the 37-year-old left European football for the Middle East, and for the first time since December 2020, when Ronaldo was on the winning side as Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League.

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IN TWO PHOTOS:

Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr training 2022-23Getty ImagesLionel Messi PSG 2022-23Getty

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO? The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has penned a deal until 2025, meaning Thursday's friendly could well be the last time himself and Messi are pitted against one another - that is if Al-Hilal are unable to tempt Messi to Saudi Arabia.

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