CR7 to make iconic debut against rival Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo will captain the Saudi All Star XI tomorrow evening against his longtime Argentine rival.

Few exhibition matches will draw as much attention as tomorrow’s clash between the top players from the Saudi Pro League and the star-studded squad of Paris Saint-Germain. The reason is simple: two football giants and fierce rivals, who have defined the sporting landscape for the past 15 years, will once again go head-to-head on the pitch. After all, both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not only among the greatest footballers of all time but also rank among the top athletes in history.

The showdown will take place in the Saudi capital of Riyadh at 6:00 PM local time. It will feature five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo facing off against newly crowned world champion and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. For the Portuguese superstar, the match also marks his debut in a new environment, having only joined Al Nassr FC at the start of the calendar year. The all-star team, composed of players from both Al Nassr and Al Hilal, will be captained by Ronaldo.

Of course, a matchup between Ronaldo — currently the world’s highest-paid footballer with annual earnings of 200 million euros — and Messi would always attract massive interest. But in Saudi Arabia’s case, this is about more than just sport. It’s another prestigious event that allows the local regime to consolidate power and expand its sphere of influence.

“In recent years, large sums of money have flowed from the Arab world into European football. It’s a form of soft power, because football as a business doesn’t always guarantee profit. But there’s a broader context behind it,” said sports analyst Jozef Tokos for Economic Daily.

Adding extra intrigue is the regional rivalry between Qatar and Saudi Arabia — and the fact that PSG, led by Messi, is the flagship club of the Qatari government and regime. Whether this match is the result of a political barter or a lucrative financial deal remains unclear. (...)

According to Tokos, it’s unlikely that Messi will end up in Saudi Arabia after the summer and create a recurring “desert El Clásico” against Ronaldo, with Al Nassr facing Al Hilal. “At this point, it’s pure speculation, but I don’t think Messi will finish his career in Paris. Still, I don’t see the Arab world as his next destination. Especially considering the sharp performance contrast between the two players at the World Cup. In Messi’s case, a return to Barcelona, or a move to the USA or his native Argentina, seems more realistic,” Tokos added.

For now, the two legends will have the chance to showcase their skills to fans in Riyadh. For Saudi Arabia, it’s yet another major sporting trophy that puts the country in the global spotlight. Interestingly, this high-profile clash came about more by chance than design, as the match with PSG had been arranged before Ronaldo’s signing.