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.
الوعد ان شاءالله يوم ١٩ يناير … لقاء فوق الخيال … ومدير الفريق الكابتن خالد الشنيف ان شاءالله والتشكيلة غداً بيعلنها المدرب وخالد … اتمنى يومها ننسى الهلال والنصر ساعتين ونصير كلنا موسم الرياض… وبعد الساعتين نوقف الهدنة 😂🇸🇦❤️ pic.twitter.com/nttB07IgBb
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) January 15, 2023
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.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
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.