After the defeat in the FIFA World Cup, this player landed against Messi in the field

Football fans in Saudi Arabia are in for a treat as Lionel Messi is all set to go against Cristiano Ronaldo, in a rivalry that would never, in the history of the game fail to gather the attention of even the general audience

The unlikely venue is Riyadhs King Fahd International Stadium and the stage is set Thursday when Messis Paris Saint-Germain takes on a combined XI of Saudi Arabian teams Al Nassr and Al Hilal in an exhibition match

Riyadh is where Ronaldo has decided to base possibly the final years of his storied career after signing a deal worth a reported 200 million a year to join Al Nassr The game against Messi and PSG offers a reminder of Portugals international glory days before Ronaldo focuses on Al Nassrs domestic title challenge and bid to qualify for the Asian Champions League

It will be Ronaldos first action in Saudi Arabia after serving a two-match suspension issued by the English Football Association for slapping a mobile phone out of the hand of a fan after a match between Man United and Everton last April

He has already been handed his trademark No 7 shirt and the armband in what feels like a fitting way to kick off his latest adventure It will be a chance to make a statement against some of the best players in the world, as opposed to who he will face in the Saudi league, which represents a step down after his career in elite European soccer

Ronaldo did become the first mens player to score at five different World Cups Messi is also aiming to win back-to-back French league titles with PSG and could yet lead the Paris club to its first Champions League success

While Ronaldo said he rejected offers from around the world to join Al Nassr, it is not known if any interest came from Europes biggest clubs The Saudi move is likely to take him out of the spotlight for the first time since he established himself in his first spell at United in 2003

Next : PM Modi and Kim Jong Un Seen Playing Drums, These Unique Pictures Go Viral During Navratri
Read More