- 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.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
![Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr training 2022-23](https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt8f0c20107cb60c70/Ronny_cover.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60)
![Lionel Messi PSG 2022-23](https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltf3ed09adf125eab5/GettyImages-1246161341.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60)
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.