Excitement is building ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut game on Saudi soil.
Cristiano Ronaldo will face Lionel Messi for the first time since December 2020 when a Saudi All-Star XI host Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday.
The friendly game will mark Ronaldo’s first appearance since joining Al Nassr on a record-breaking deal. CR7’s debut for Al Nassr is delayed, but he will captain the Saudi XI in the upcoming game.
In a campaign to promote the event, Turki al-Sheikh, the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, auctioned a special ticket on Wednesday. The buyer will enjoy perks such as photo opportunities with Messi and Ronaldo and access to locker rooms.
“Congratulations, you deserve it, and may God reward you with good,” Sheikh wrote on Twitter.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, the friendly game has received over 2 million online ticket requests. PSG will reportedly earn around €10m from the friendly match.
Al Nassr also hopes to hold a meeting with PSG officials to finalize a transfer for Keylor Navas. The former Real Madrid goalkeeper is set to replace David Ospina, who has suffered a serious elbow injury.