PSG vs Riyadh All Star XI Live Football Score 19 Jan 2023

PSG vs Saudi All-Star XI: Messi vs Ronaldo prediction, kick-off time, TV, live, team news

• Match: PSG vs. Al Nassr / Al Hilal All-Stars
• Date: Thursday, January 19
• Time: 5pm GMT / 12pm ET
• Stadium: King Fahd Stadium (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Ronaldo is yet to make an appearance for Al-Nassr following his money-spinning move to the Middle East due to a FIFA ban imposed him during his Manchester United days.

The Portugal forward, however, will captain an All-Star XI made up of players plying their trade in the Saudi League as PSG come to Riyad.

Messi, meanwhile, has returned from winning the World Cup with Argentina in fine fettle. The Argentina star scored on his domestic return against Angers and showed on his last visit to the Middle East that he remains a spectacular sight to behold.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia is set to begin. Interestingly enough, it could start against Lionel Messi.

The Portuguese icon signed for Saudi club Al Nassr, and while his debut for the Middle Eastern side has been put off slightly as he serves a suspension, he will soon get underway for his new team.

Ronaldo penned an eye-watering contract with Al Nassr following his exit from the World Cup, and he will play in Saudi Arabia after departing Manchester United in December. Ronaldo’s exit from the Premier League side was a mutual cancellation of his contract, allowing him to sign as a free agent.

Before he begins competitive life with his new club on January 22, however, there’s a January 19 friendly to navigate with Messi and PSG on the other side of the field.

Ronaldo will play in a match between PSG and the Riyadh Stars XI for the Saudi Arabia all-star side, confirmed as captain for the match.

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.

For the Saudi All-Star XI, the fact Ronaldo is captaining the side points to his inclusion from the off. 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.

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.