PSG 5-4 Saudi All-Star XI LIVE! Ronaldo v Messi result, match stream and latest updates today
PSG vs Saudi All-Star XI LIVE!
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi met for potentially the final time on a football pitch as Paris Saint-Germain beat the Al-Nassr star and a team of Saudi Arabia’s best players in a friendly clash. Ronaldo was given the armband as he led his team-mates from Riyadh’s top clubs to victory against his old rival, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and more.
Ronaldo is yet to play for Al-Nassr since signing a £175million-a-season deal to bring to an end his time at the peak of European football, with his competitive debut lined up for this weekend after serving a ban held over from his time at Manchester United, so today also marks the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s first action since Portugal’s shock World Cup quarter-final exit.
Follow Ronaldo vs Messi LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, with live TV coverage on PSG’s YouTube channel!
PSG vs Saudi All-Star XI highlights
RED CARD! Bernat sent off
PENALTY MISS! Neymar fluffs lines
First-half goals: Messi and Ronaldo both score
Second-half goals: Mbappe leads PSG to win
Thanks for joining us!
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:30 , Marc Mayo
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his long-awaited debut in Saudi Arabian football as his Riyadh All-Star side were beaten 5-4 by Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly.
Recap the action with our full report!
PSG lift the trophy!
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:27 , Marc Mayo
The Riyadh Season cup is held aloft by Marquinhos!
Cristiano Ronaldo gets a medal
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:24 , Marc Mayo
Complete with a hefty bruise on his face from the penalty incident, he watches on with a silver medal around his neck.
The match officials next up
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:21 , Marc Mayo
Handshakes with the various dignitaries for the refereeing team.
Next up: PSG will lift their trophy!
Fancy some more football?
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:18 , Marc Mayo
Well, head on over to our live blog of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Tottenham...
Post-match ceremony
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:16 , Marc Mayo
Cristiano Ronaldo named Man of the Match for a brace on his Saudi Arabian debut.
Second-half summary
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:13 , Marc Mayo
Well, what a second half that was!
With the score tied at 2-2 at the break, Sergio Ramos stabbed a finish home from Kylian Mbappe’s cross before Jang Hyun-soo hit back immediately to level.
On the hour mark, Mbappe’s penalty made it 4-3 and he was soon taken off alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Hugo Ekitike buried a smart counter before Talisca’s fine hit from range rounded off a nine-goal encounter.
Hugo Ekitiké makes it 5-3 to PSG!! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/zLnGrsQnpm
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
FULL TIME!
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:09 , Marc Mayo
Nine goals in a thoroughly enjoyable friendly as PSG take the win.
GOOOAAALLLL!!! PSG 5-4 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:09 , Marc Mayo
90+3 mins: Talisca scores a beauty!
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:07 , Marc Mayo
90+2 mins: Another effort from the hosts is fired over after some fine work. Four minutes added on.
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:06 , Marc Mayo
90 mins: Pereira fires over and Talisca miscues a volley particularly badly as we head into stoppage time.
Ronaldo blows a kiss to the fans as he appears on the big screen.
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:04 , Marc Mayo
88 mins: Riyadh are still pushing for another goal as the home crowd give Neymar a big cheer as he appears on the big screen, before a little wave back.
Mbappe also obliges as the fans begin to drift out of the ground.
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:00 , Marc Mayo
85 mins: Two more changes for the Saudi side as ex-Bayern Munich man Luiz Gustavo comes off.
Vitinha also makes way for PSG, having come on earlier, to allow another youngster to get some minutes.
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:59 , Marc Mayo
83 mins: Talisca stands over a free-kick in a very good spot, just to the left of the D and 24 yards out.
The Brazilian whips a fierce shot over the wall... and just over the bar.
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:55 , Marc Mayo
80 mins: That was a really smart counter-attacking goal, the nature of which underlines how Riyadh XI have pushed forward and genuinely threatened another goal.
The Saudi side have played well tonight.
GGGOOOOAAALLLL!!! PSG 5-3 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:52 , Marc Mayo
78 mins: Ekitike goes on a long run and buries a finish!
Hugo Ekitiké makes it 5-3 to PSG!! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/zLnGrsQnpm
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:50 , Marc Mayo
76 mins: Can the All-Stars grab another goal to force a penalty shootout?
All ten players for PSG, who had Juan Bernat sent off earlier, are substitutes and most of them kids.
CHANCE!
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:49 , Marc Mayo
74 mins: Carrillo slashes a shot from a tight angle across the face of goal and wide!
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:47 , Marc Mayo
72 mins: The game has quietened down a touch so a perfect chance to rewind to the opening goal...
⚽️📹@neymarjr x Leo Messi #PSGRiyadhSeasonTeam I #PSGQatarTour2023 pic.twitter.com/GTE1uEFaDy
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) January 19, 2023
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:45 , Marc Mayo
69 mins: Great defending by Jang to take the ball of Ekitike as he prepared to double PSG’s advantage.
Moments later, Vitinha tries to pop in the fifth from the halfway line but the goalkeeper sees it all the way.
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:41 , Marc Mayo
66 mins: The hosts get back to chasing a fourth leveller of the day, a set piece finding Talisca deep in the box and his side-footed effort is well held by Donnarumma.
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:39 , Marc Mayo
64 mins: So, we kick-off again with both Ronaldo and Messi enjoying a well-earned rest.
Ekitike, Zaire-Emery (who’s 16), Donnarumma and Bitshiabu also introduced by PSG.
Riyadh make three changes with former Sporting CP wonderkid Pereira among those introduced.
OFF come Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe AND Neymar...👀🔁 pic.twitter.com/la3UB1ecky
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo substituted!
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:37 , Marc Mayo
61 mins: A first appearance in Saudi Arabian football comes to an end with a rousing reception and handshakes from all his teammates on the bench.
Lots of changes from both teams, Messi, Mbappe and Neymar depart for PSG.
GGOOOAAALLLL!!! PSG 4-3 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:35 , Marc Mayo
59 mins: No mistake from Mbappe as the goalkeeper goes the wrong way!
MBAPPE gets on the SCORESHEET! 💥
It's now Riyadh's All-Star XI 3-4 PSG... pic.twitter.com/ngK5930RL2— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
PENALTY PSG!
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:34 , Marc Mayo
58 mins: Messi’s shot is handled and we have the most convincing penalty award of the night!
VAR confirms it and Mbappe has the ball...
GGOOOOAAALLLL!!! PSG 3-3 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:31 , Marc Mayo
56 mins: JANG! A lovely header from a fine corner into the near-post!
Riyadh's All-Star XI make it 3-3!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hVkgVqtKPR
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:30 , Marc Mayo
55 mins: Ramos back down the other end to hack clear Ronaldo’s fizzed-in free-kick from a tight angle.
GGGGOOOOOAAALLLLL!! PSG 3-2 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:28 , Marc Mayo
53 mins: RAMOS!
A stunning run down the left from Mbappe before he hits the byline, cuts back and Ramos pokes home. Superb goal!
Sergio Ramos gives PSG the LEAD! 🤩 (Another Mbappe assist...) pic.twitter.com/LpftWuvIoY
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:27 , Marc Mayo
51 mins: A reminder that penalties will be called upon if we cannot find a winner inside 90 minutes.
Mbappe picks out the top corner in search of PSG’s third goal - and Al Owais palms it over!
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:24 , Marc Mayo
49 mins: The offside flag saves All-Stars as Messi’s shot is surely handed by the goalkeeper outside the box! Maybe he knew all along...
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:22 , Marc Mayo
47 mins: Navas slides the ball into touch under pressure.
The corner is headed goalwards by Martinez and Navas superbly scrambles the ball away!
Kick-off!
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:20 , Marc Mayo
The hosts bring Talisca and Lajami on as Marega and Al Ghanam make way.
Vitinha and Danilo enter the fray for PSG. Marquinhos and Sanches taken off.
Here come the players!
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:18 , Marc Mayo
Ronaldo first out for the hosts, looking ready to continue this tune-up ahead of his Al-Nassr debut.
Mbappe has the armband for PSG as Neymar and Messi also stroll out.
Second-half coming up!
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:17 , Marc Mayo
Fabian slotted in at left-back for PSG so Christophe Galtier could go to his bench at the break.
A strong bench available to the visitors with ex-West Brom man Matheus Pereira among Riyadh’s substitutes.
‘Eventful’ is one way of putting it!
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:14 , Marc Mayo
⏸ Half-time after an eventful 45 minutes! #PSGRiyadhSeasonTeam | #PSGQatarTour2023 pic.twitter.com/WDwqWEfEjL
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 19, 2023
First-half summary
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:10 , Marc Mayo
Lionel Messi hit a cool opener moments after kick-off before a questionable penalty was converted by Cristiano Ronaldo.
PSG had Juan Bernat sent off for a last-man hack and yet they retook the lead through Marquinhos from close range.
They really should have been further ahead when Neymar won his own curious spot-kick, which was easily saved by Mohammed Alowais.
Up the other end after several minutes of injury time, Ronaldo buried a rebound for 2-2!
Neymar MISSES a penalty for PSG! 😬❌ pic.twitter.com/qfrCmPeVcT
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:06 , Marc Mayo
So, Cristiano Ronaldo with two goals and Lionel Messi just the one in that half.
The Riyadh side have given PSG a really good game, in terms of competitiveness.
Their penalty was mighty soft (Ronaldo simply headed Navas’ elbow) but the hosts’ defending has been very decent.
Half time! PSG 2-2 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:02 , Marc Mayo
Just a little bit of madness in the Saudi capital. Great fun.
GGGGOOOAAALLL!!! PSG 2-2 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:01 , Marc Mayo
45+6 mins: Ronaldo heads the ball onto the post and sticks the rebound away!
Ronaldo EQUALISES again for Riyadh's All-Star XI! 😲⚡ pic.twitter.com/51lX1f6tAU
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:00 , Marc Mayo
45+5 mins: Still time for Riyadh to win a free-kick high up the pitch and Ronaldo will take...
Into the wall!
SAVED!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:58 , Marc Mayo
45+4 mins: That was a terrible penalty.
PENALTY!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:57 , Marc Mayo
45+3 mins: The referee points to the spot!
Maybe Neymar’s heel was clipped. Maybe...
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:56 , Marc Mayo
45+2 mins: Ah, spoke too soon. To the monitor goes the referee...
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:56 , Marc Mayo
45+1 mins: Neymar with an absolute trademark tumble in the box yields no penalty. Not even VAR in a friendly will give that!
PSG CHANCE!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:55 , Marc Mayo
45 mins: A great stop from Al Owais denies Mbappe one-on-one!
GGOOOAALLLLL!!! PSG 2-1 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:53 , Marc Mayo
43 mins: Some lovely passing football from Saudi XI which Sanches snuffs out.
PSG break well and Mbappe’s shot is blocked out for a corner.
It goes short and the cross goes in... and MARQUINHOS SCORES!
Marquinhos gives PSG the LEAD! ⚡
Mbappe with the ASSIST 🤝 pic.twitter.com/rpMxXQBQsx— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:51 , Marc Mayo
41 mins: A bit of a challenge on for PSG, now!
RED CARD!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:50 , Marc Mayo
39 mins: Bernat sent off for a last-man foul on Al-Dawsari!
He can’t really argue with that...
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:47 , Marc Mayo
36 mins: PSG back on the front foot, chasing another go-ahead goal but some sturdy Saudi defending keeps Mbappe’s pacy run at bay.
GGOOOAALLL!!!! PSG 1-1 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:44 , Marc Mayo
34 mins: Ronaldo, complete with black eye from colliding with the goalkeeper’s elbow, steps up...
GOAL! Top corner, Navas didn’t have a chance.
Ronaldo EQUALISES from the penalty spot for Riyadh's All-Star XI! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wVcaE4HRKE
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
PENALTY
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:43 , Marc Mayo
33 mins: Has he... given a penalty? Our Qatari referee looks to have called that as a foul!
Navas is booked!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:42 , Marc Mayo
32 mins: Ronaldo gets clattered by Navas!
The pair go up for a free-kick into the box and Ronaldo flicks it as Navas goes to clear... neither really got a touch to be fair.
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:40 , Marc Mayo
29 mins: The xG of this game must be through the roof.
Neymar goes chasing a second goal and dribbles through a challenge before being nicely halted in the box.
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:37 , Marc Mayo
27 mins: Ronaldo now pulling out the tricks with a sweet backheel to Al-Dawsari, the Saudi winger who scored that stunner against Argentina at the World Cup.
Up the other end, criminal defending shows Messi onto his left foot and a deflected shot spins wide.
GOA-NO!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:35 , Marc Mayo
25 mins: Messi skills his man and plays in a clearly offside Mbappe. He rounds the keeper to score - but the flag is up.
PSG CHANCE!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:34 , Marc Mayo
24 mins: PlayStation stuff from Mbappe as he delivers a sumptuous backheel into the box for Bernat, whose roll across the box was well cleared by some desperate defending as Messi and Co lined up to score.
𝐋𝐄𝐎#PSGRiyadhSeasonTeam I #PSGQatarTour2023 pic.twitter.com/yMY0sapDSt
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 19, 2023
RONALDO CHANCE!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:33 , Marc Mayo
22 mins: The veteran striker just inches behind getting a shot away as he’s crowded out in the box.
He’s not been far off a leveller!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:31 , Marc Mayo
21 mins: Lots of ‘nearly’ football from PSG as they look to score with style.
PSG CHANCE!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:29 , Marc Mayo
18 mins: Fabian finds Mbappe nicely down the left and a searing cross is just too quick for Neymar to poke home from close range!
PSG CHANCE!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:26 , Marc Mayo
16 mins: Hakimi breaks and fires in a stunning cross for Neymar at the back stick, but his shot is well saved.
The Brazilian takes up another dart at goal quickly afterwards and meets a stern challenge and darting around two.
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:25 , Marc Mayo
15 mins: Sanches drags Marega back in a sure yellow card, were it not a friendly...
Ronaldo among those in the box and an in-swinger is too deep. Goal kick.
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:24 , Marc Mayo
13 mins: Some good stuff from the Riyadh team and it’s Luiz Gustavo, not Ronaldo, threatening Navas with a shot from range that’s parried.
Lots of attacking intent on display - not the busiest of defending!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:19 , Marc Mayo
9 mins: Important header clear from Ramos on the stretch as Ronaldo lurked behind him.
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:16 , Marc Mayo
6 mins: Ronaldo gets involved but expects a bit too much of his teammate with a pass down the left flank.
He then picks up the ball from 35 yards out and puts the afterburners on... a shot from range is held well by Navas!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:15 , Marc Mayo
5 mins: PSG want a second... has Ronaldo even had a touch yet?
GGOOOOOAAALLL!!! PSG 1-0 Saudi All-Stars
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:13 , Marc Mayo
3 mins: MESSI!
Neymar clips a ball over the top, the goalkeeper comes out but the finish is coolly placed into the back of the net!
Mbappe ➡️ Neymar ➡️ Messi
Lionel Messi opens the scoring! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/8GWciHtmPv— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:12 , Marc Mayo
2 mins: A big cheer for Messi’s first touch as PSG look threatening early on. He’s flanking Mbappe the central striker with Neymar wide left.
Kick-off!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:10 , Marc Mayo
It’s PSG vs Saudi All-Stars... Messi vs Ronaldo... and plenty more besides!
🔛 C'est parti dans ce #PSGRiyadhSeasonTeam #PSGQatarTour2023 pic.twitter.com/zgLoI9L3bA
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) January 19, 2023
A big team photo
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:08 , Marc Mayo
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos gleefully link arms for the pre-game photograph of the two teams. Great to see.
Pre-match formalities continue
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:07 , Marc Mayo
As expected the Saudi line-up features Anderson Talisca, Luis Gustavo, Jang Hyun-Soo and Moussa Marega.
Time for the Saudi national anthem!
Countdown to kick-off
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:04 , Marc Mayo
Pyrotechnics and a drone display getting the crowd warmed up for tonight’s game.
Ronaldo back in that No7 shirt, too.
Ronaldo all smiles
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:02 , Marc Mayo
Lots of friendly handshakes in the tunnel before Ronaldo and Marquinhos, tonight’s captains, led out their sides.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos reunited...❤️ pic.twitter.com/WL5XfhKblO
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Here come the players!
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:01 , Marc Mayo
PSG vs Saudi All-Stars is coming up...
Lots of Argentina flags in the crowd
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:59 , Marc Mayo
Al-Nassr shirts, French flags, Argentina flags, Ronaldo placards... very cosmopolitan!
Countdown to kick-off
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:53 , Marc Mayo
The players are back in the dressing room as a hype man gets the crowd excited for the friendly.
We look to have a full house in the Saudi capital.
How PSG line up tonight
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:49 , Marc Mayo
Lionel Messi starts!
🆗📄 The Parisian starting XI for #PSGRiyadhSeasonTeam! #PSGQatarTour2023 pic.twitter.com/ENU3xawEuy
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 19, 2023
Countdown to kick-off
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:45 , Marc Mayo
PSG indulge in some casual shooting drills on the pitch with 15 minutes until we get underway.
Still awaiting our team news, too!
Tonight’s venue
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:42 , Marc Mayo
The King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh holds a hefty 68,000 fans and is filling up nicely ahead of kick-off.
Locals have been well-treated in the past couple of weeks with both the Spanish and Italian Super Cups.
➡️ CR7 vs Messi… ¿Last dance? 🤔
📍King Fahd Stadium @ESPNDeportes @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/hwtGU2s4SC— Rodrigo Fáez 🕶🐝 (@RodrigoFaez) January 19, 2023
Game faces: on
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:36 , Marc Mayo
🔜 #PSGRiyadhSeasonTeam #PSGQatarTour2023 pic.twitter.com/ehBNB6Rbts
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) January 19, 2023
Here come PSG!
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:31 , Marc Mayo
Don’t worry, Lionel Messi also gets a big old cheer as he steps out for the warm-up...
The warm-ups begin!
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:27 , Marc Mayo
Ronaldo and the All-Stars trot out to a big reception from Al Fahd Stadium.
Kick-off in just over half an hour...
Ronaldo is in the house!
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:24 , Marc Mayo
Cristiano Ronaldo est arrivé. 🔥#PSGRiyadhSeasonTeam pic.twitter.com/SYj7F51BjT
— Vibes Foot (@VibesFoot) January 19, 2023
PSG donning ‘GOAT’ kit
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:19 , Marc Mayo
How you gonna top that, Saudi All-Stars? ‘GOAT+1’?
A special jersey for a special night ✨ #PSGxJordan pic.twitter.com/Iiht6pEBwt
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) January 19, 2023
Latest match odds
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:15 , Marc Mayo
Saudi Arabia All Stars: 11/2
Draw: 4/1
PSG: 2/7
Odds via Betway
PSG announce... another kit
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:11 , Marc Mayo
Les Parisien’s FOURTH design of the year. Look at that.
🆕⚡️⬛️
Paris Saint-Germain and Jordan Brand today announce their fourth kit for the 22/23 season.
The black and gold jersey highlights the club's commitment to the city of Paris, which inspires every design.
✨ #PSGxJordan— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 19, 2023
Saudi folklore group were there to welcome PSG at the airport
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:07 , Marc Mayo
When is Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr debut?
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:02 , Marc Mayo
Al-Nassr face tenth-placed Ettifaq on Sunday evening in what should be Cristiano Ronaldo’s first appearance for the club.
They have picked up a win and a draw, without conceding, during his two-game ban - and sit second in the table.
No David Ospina today
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:57 , Marc Mayo
The former Arsenal goalkeeper, now of Al-Nassr, underwent surgery on an elbow this week.
David Ospina had a successful surgery today 🙏 pic.twitter.com/EWwByWND3k
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 17, 2023
Flashback: CR7’s presentation
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:51 , Marc Mayo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s unveiling was certainly atmospheric, it’s quite mad to think it was only two weeks ago.
That two-game ban has taken the edge off his arrival but that hype could return with a vengeance tonight.
Ronaldo vs Messi
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:46 , Marc Mayo
The stats certainly in the Argentine’s favour this season, will that change when Ronaldo gets up and running in Arabia?
🆚 Saudi All-Star XI vs PSG
🆚 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi
👀 Their last meeting saw Ronaldo's Juventus beat Messi's Barcelona 3-0 in December 2020
🎖️ Who will win today? pic.twitter.com/MTk9lnbSuM— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 19, 2023
Not just Lionel Messi enjoying a Ronaldo reunion today
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:40 , Marc Mayo
Sergio Ramos is in the PSG squad having been linked with following his old Real Madrid pal to Al-Nassr.
Who is on Ronaldo’s team?
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:35 , Marc Mayo
The squad is officially titled Riyadh Season Team and will be made up of Al Hilal and Al-Nassr players.
No teamsheet has been revealed yet but European football fans may recognise the names Moussa Marega, Luciano Vietto, Andre Carrillo, Luiz Gustavo and David Ospina.
Les Parisiens head to the venue
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:30 , Marc Mayo
Kick-off in 90 minutes!
Heading to the stadium 👍🏟️
🔜 #PSGRiyadhSeasonTeam pic.twitter.com/bssdpIYRC6— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 19, 2023
Game face on for Messi
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:24 , Marc Mayo
Far from the only action in Saudi today
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:19 , Marc Mayo
Al-Ittihad are currently all square with Al Feiha in the early stages, while Al-Adalah and Al-Batin played out a 1-1 draw in the battle of the bottom dwellers earlier on.
PSG tour continues
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:12 , Marc Mayo
The French side trained in front of 30,000 fans in Doha, Qatar yesterday before flying into Saudi.
Thank you Qatar! pic.twitter.com/etYfNBBE53
— Achraf Hakimi (@AchrafHakimi) January 19, 2023
A warm welcome for PSG in Riyadh
Thursday 19 January 2023 15:07 , Marc Mayo
A great welcome for our Parisians upon arrival in 𝐑𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐝𝐡! 🙌❤️💙#PSGQatarTour2023 | @qatarairways pic.twitter.com/aMn4KKxkuk
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 19, 2023
Score prediction
Thursday 19 January 2023 14:59 , Alex Young
Clearly, it’s difficult to take games of this nature too seriously, though surely PSG will be the most likely winner here.
While goals are always expected in all-star friendly games, the coherence of a team who play together week in, week out should be enough.
PSG to win 3-2.
Saudi All-Star XI team news
Thursday 19 January 2023 14:51 , Alex Young
For the Saudi All-Star XI, the fact Ronaldo is captaining means he will be starting the game.
Salem Al-Dawsari – who scored for Saudi against Messi’s Argentina at the World Cup – should feature, along with the likes of Moussa Marega, Anderson Talisca and Andre Carillo.
David Ospina, however, is out with an elbow injury.
PSG team news
Thursday 19 January 2023 14:43 , Alex Young
PSG boss Christophe Galtier is likely to name a strong starting lineup, although without taking any major risks.
Presnel Kimpembe will not be involved due to injury while Nuno Nendes and Marco Verratti are unlikely to feature.
All of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar will almost certainly feature in at least some capacity, along with Keylor Navas amid links with a move to Al-Nassr.
Click here to read the full blog on The Evening Standard's website