Ronaldo could face Messi for the first game in Saudi Arabia

Al-Nassr KSA coach Rudi Garcia expects Ronaldo to feature in PSG in an upcoming friendly match against Paris Saint-Germain, led by his arch-rivals Lionel Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo’s first game since his move to Saudi Arabia could see him facing Lionel Messi after his coach said the Portugal international would play against Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly this month. Ronaldo missed the first of two domestic games for Al Nassr on Friday after being suspended by England’s Football Association for knocking a phone out of a fan’s hand after Manchester United’s defeat at Everton in April.
Rudi Garcia, Al Nassr’s manager, confirmed the 37-year-old forward would also miss the league game against Al Shabab and was poised to make his debut against Ettifaq on 22 January – but he expects Ronaldo to play against PSG. The game is also notable from a geopolitical perspective, with Saudi clubs facing a team owned by Qatar. “It [his debut] won’t be with the Al Nassr jersey,” Garcia was quoted as saying by L’Équipe. “It will be a mix between Al Hilal and Al Nassr. As the coach of Al Nassr, I cannot be happy with this match. For development, to see PSG, to see the great Parisian players, indeed is a good thing. But we have a championship game three days later. “In terms of scheduling, it could have been better thought out. But it’s not a big deal … We are in the lead, and we are happy. It is a difficult championship to win, but we intend to do it.” Garcia said Ronaldo’s arrival in Saudi Arabia was similar to Pelé’s move to New York Cosmos, shining the spotlight on the little-known Saudi club which has amassed more than 10 million new Instagram followers since the player’s signing. Messi's PSG will travel to Qatar on January 17 after their Ligue 1 match against Stade Rennes, and will then head to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to play their scheduled friendly game.