Published: 09:10, January 17, 2023 | Updated: 09:18, January 17, 2023
Ronaldo to make Saudi debut in friendly against PSG
By Reuters

Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo watches from the VIP area ahead of the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and At-Tai at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Jan 6, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in Saudi Arabia for the first time since joining Al Nassr after he was named as captain of Riyadh ST XI for an exhibition match against Lionel Messi's Paris St Germain, officials announced on Monday.

The 37-year-old Portuguese will lead the team made up of players from Saudi sides Al Hilal and Al Nassr against Messi's PSG in what will be the latest chapter of the celebrated global soccer rivalry.

Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Al Nassr earlier this month on a deal until 2025 estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($216.34 million)

The line-up also features Saudi internationals Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored in the shock group-stage win over Argentina in last year's World Cup, and Saud Abdulhamid.

The highly anticipated showdown, which reportedly had more than 2 million online ticket requests, will take place in Riyadh on Thursday.

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The bidding for a VIP "Beyond Imagination" ticket to the match has already topped 10 million riyals ($2.66 million) in an auction that is set to end on Tuesday.

Ronaldo missed the first two domestic games for Al Nassr after being suspended by England's Football Association for knocking a phone out of a fan's hand in April.

In this file photo taken on Sept 4, 2022, Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo crosses the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England. (OLI SCARFF / AFP)

The Portuguese forward arrived at the Arab team earlier this month on a deal until 2025 estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($216.34 million).

READ MORE: Coach: Ronaldo could make Saudi debut in PSG friendly

Ronaldo is set to make his first competitive appearance in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday when Al Nassr host Al Ettifaq.