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 must serve a suspension before his league debut for Al Nassr but is expected to face PSG in a team made up of players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal in Riyadh on 19 January.
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 it 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, 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 who have amassed more than 10 million new Instagram followers since the player’s signing.
“In recent months, between Manchester United, the national team and also at a private level, he has not had easy moments,” the manager said of Ronaldo. “If he finds the pleasure of playing again, it will be a good goal to achieve.”
