Paris Saint-Germain could be set to make the trip to Saudi Arabia for a friendly next month as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could be set for another battle
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could be set for an unlikely reunion after it was reported that Paris Saint-Germain are heading to Saudi Arabia for a friendly in January.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could be set for a rare reunion (Image: Getty Images)
The 37-year-old completed his record-breaking switch to Al-Nassr on a two-and-a-half year deal on Friday, with Ronaldo set to earn around £373million-a-year. It is a mouthwatering amount as Ronaldo ventures out of Europe for the first time in his 21-year career since starting out at Sporting Lisbon, before going onto play for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and then a second spell at the Red Devils.
During his time at Los Blancos, however, Ronaldo was in constant battle with Lionel Messi as the pair pushed each other all the way for individual and team honours with the latter at Barcelona. Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 matches for Real, winning the Champions League on four occasions, while Messi reached similar heights at Barca where he won countless major trophies, netting over 500 times.
The duo have played against each other on 34 occasions in their careers, and Ronaldo and Messi could be set for one last reunion next month. According to Moroccan journalist Achraf Ben Ayad, via the Daily Star, PSG will play against a combined XI from Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal on January 19.
The news was greeted with excitement by fans, with one tweeting: “Wow! One last time.” A second wrote: “It’s like a Disney film this stuff.” And a third said: “I can’t wait for this!” Others were all left making the same joke as one posted: “Assuming Ronaldo makes the starting squad is bold.”
“Cristiano won’t make the XI,” commented one, while another echoed: “Ronaldo won’t get into the eleven.” Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are arguably the two most well-known teams in the Saudi Pro League and they met on Boxing Day as it finished as as 2-2 draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ( Image: Getty Images)
Former Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo is amongst the Al-Hilal squad, with ex-Benfica man Anderson Talisca and Vincent Aboubakar in the ranks of Al-Nassr. The two sides are set to put a team together and it is likely that Ronaldo will feature given his stature in the game.
Ronaldo’s proposed switch to Al-Nassr was announced on Friday in a statement on the club’s website. It read: “This is more than history in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome, Cristiano, to your new home.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner added: “Al Nassr’s vision is very inspiring and impressive. I look forward to a different league experience in a different country. I am excited to join my team-mates as soon as possible.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr contract contains World Cup clause
Ronaldo might not be done with the World Cup just yet.
Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed his end as a player at the very top of his game after he was formally announced by Al Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo completed the move on Friday night and has put pen to paper on a deal worth a reported £173m a year through his basic salary, bonuses and image rights.
As part of his many bonuses, Ronaldo’s contract also contains a special clause which will see him become an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid, as per Marca.
The Gulf state has plans to host the 2030 World Cup in a joint bid alongside Greece and Egypt and want Ronaldo to become the poster boy to ensure football’s biggest competition comes to the Middle East once again.
He will also be joined by Lionel Messi as an ambassador for the country as they represent Saudi’s image abroad. Messi reportedly earns around £20m a year in return for promoting tourism in the country and has already visited the country once as part of a state visit in May.
Both Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher reacted to the news of Ronaldo’s move on Friday night and admitted that it is a “sad end” to what has otherwise been an illustrious career.
“I felt as though he would want to stay in Europe, it tells me that the offers are staggering and the clubs didn’t come in for him,” Neville said.
“There’s an element of sadness for me – (the) last of Ronaldo at the top level. That had to come to an end at Old Trafford – it looks like Cristiano is finishing his career in Saudi.”
Meanwhile, Carragher added: It’s a sad end for him isn’t it? Ronaldo has finished his career with an interview with Piers Morgan and Messi has won the World Cup.”
In an interesting twist, Ronaldo and Messi may set to reunite on the pitch again once more following the Portugal international’s latest move.
PSG are travelling to the Middle East for a mid-season friendly, where they are set to face a combined eleven of players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal.
Ronaldo completed his move to Al Nassr on Friday night following weeks of speculation after he left Manchester United by mutual consent.
Source: mirror.co.uk; sportsjoe.ie
