Riyadh Season XI 4-5 PSG summary: Messi and Ronaldo score ...

as.comPublicado a las: 19/01/202320:21CET

PSG hang on in nine goal thriller

Goals from Messi, Marquinhos,Leo Messi, Mbappe, Ramos and Ekitike were enough for the Ligue 1 side to prevail and secure the 2022 Riyadh Season Cup against a combined XI of Al Hilal and Al Nassr players.

That's it ...the whistle sounds and PSG win 4-5.

Great entertainment in Riyadh and a privilege to see Ronaldo and Messi in action together.

Into the final minute of the 90 and the second half has failed to match the first 45' in terms of sheer excitement and enjoyment but this game has surpassed any expectations with many fearing it would be a tepid affair with little or no sparkle.

That could not be further from the truth as it's been hugely entertaining.... goals from Messi and CR7, red cards, controversy, missed spot kicks. It's been great !

And every bit as importantly, there have been no injuries with CR7 sporting a bruised cheek after the Keylor Navas punch.

Many of these Al Hilal players will be in action in Morocco in the next few weeks with the Saudi Arabian side one of the seven participants at the forthcoming FIFA Club World Cup. 

The Riyadh side will face CAF Champions League winners Wydad (Morocco) in the second round game.

Riyadh 3-5 PSG

Hugo Ekitike puts the ten men of PSG 3-5 ahead

Salem wins a corner for the home side as they continue to press.

The ball eventually falls into the arms of the PSG keeper.

Despite the swathe of changes, there is still plenty of pace and tempo to the game as Riyadh look for a way back.

Don't forget that PSG have been playing with ten men since the 39th minute when Bernat was given his marching orders.

Ali Al-Boleahi shoots as he looks to amend his handball that lead to the PSG spot kick and goal for Mbappe.

Tame shot and easy for Donnarumma to gather with the Italian replacing Navas.

Was this the last time we'll see the two greats of modern football on the same pitch for the last time?

Two authentic legends!

Navas saves again and keeps the score at 2-2.

A rare outing for the Costa Rican tonight but he's performed admirabley. 

2 switches for PSG

Renato Sanches off for Vitinha

Marquinhos makes way for Danilo Pereira

Sultan Alganham off and Ali Lajami on

Moussa Marega makes way for Anderson Talisca

We're underway in Riyadh and there have been a few switches for the home side.

El Muñeco Gallardo coaching the home side tonight.

The teams take to the pitch again at the King Fahd. Mbappe is back as is Neymar and Messi.

CR7 too back on the pitch.

HT: Riyadh 2-2 PSG

I imagine the second half will see a series of widespread changes for both teams and we may even see the likes of Messi, CR7, Neymar etc subbed.

So, it's been a hugely enjoyable 45 minutes of football.

It's a friendly, we all get that but it certainly doesn't feel like one of those tepid pre-season affairs where neither team puts in a tackle.

It's been robust and PSG seem to have been incensed to see Bernat get his marching orders.

What a game this is ... ok, we know it's only a friendly but you could not want more goal mouth action or entertainment...

the whistle sounds and a well deserved break for all involved!

Gooooooooooooooooool.

Ronaldo makes it 2-2

Actually, it was a shocking penalty from Neymar.

Riyadh have a dangerous free and it's going to be Ronaldo.

The trademark approach... the Portuguese strikes....drives the ball into the wall.

Who will take? 

It's Neymar. 

The Brazilian shapes, shoots right footed and the effort is saved by Al Owais.

That was not a good penalty!

Final minute of the half and PSG seem fired up by the Bernat sending off as they up the tempo.

Neymar appeals for a spot kick as he seemed to be clipped Ali Al-Boleahi.

VAR to be consulted... that looked like a penalty to me

43rd minute goal as the Brazilian latches onto a sweet assist from Mbappe.

The ten men take the lead.

A close up shot of Ronaldo reveals the bruising where he felt the impact of the Navas punch. 

Salem Al Dawsari breaking free is scythed down by the Spaniard and PSG are down to ten men.

Bernat is out of the game.

Goooooooooooooooool.

Ronaldo from the spot to tie the game

Navas full of apologies as play is held up.

The Qatari ref awards a penalty.

Marega does well and the former FC Porto man almost latches onto the ball but Keylor Navas is alert and intervenes. 

Certainly would appear that the 68,000 fans packed inside the King Fahd are getting decent value for money.

PSG are in action next on Monday as they face lower league side Pays de Cassel in the Round of 32 of the French Cup, that game has been put back to Monday.

Neymar almost slides in at the back post. The Brazilian is knocking on the door now. 

Ronaldo does seem very keen to impress tonight as he makes a marauding run on goal and is impeded by Ramos. 

Much better from the Saudi XI now as PSG sit deep.

I know this is a friendly game but neither side are holding back when it comes to meaty tackles. 

Some trickery from CR7 there as he nutmegs PSG man Carlos Soler with a back heel and then picks up the ball himself.

Great party piece from the man from Madeira. 

Riyadh Season 0-1 PSG

Wow... what a start !

PSG looking sharp and great work as their three high profile stars combine in the lead up to the goal!

Decent atmosphere too as Sergio Ramos and Ronaldo are inseparable. 

PSG set to start the game.... 

The Riyadh Season XI wearing grey shirts and shorts this evening.

PSG in their new Jordan Brand fourth kit. 

Pre-game protocol greetings with smiles all round from the players with a mellow vibe surrounding the game.

A packed house at the King Fahd Stadium and all the fans looking for that first time when Messi and CR7 appear together.

Fans of Al Hilal, Al Nassr apparent in the stands, a few PSG shirts spotted to along with quite a presence of the sky and white Argentina shirts.

as.comPublicado a las: 19/01/202317:50CET

We have a PSG XI

...and yes, as hoped for and anticipated, Messi, Neymar and Mbappe all start for PSG tonight. 

The Ligue 1 side fielding what could be deemed as a strong XI for the exhibition game.

as.comPublicado a las: 19/01/202317:44CET

PSG drop new Jordan Brand fourth kit

Using the build-up to tonight's exhibition game in Riyadh, the Parisian side have unveiled their new fourth kit which is a striking black jersey which pays tribute to the city of light. The black colour recalls the nights of the big games at the Parc des Princes and this shirt will get its debut this evening at the King Fahd Stadium.

What a trio !

Del Piero, Totti and Titi Henry are the local television analysts for the Riyadh Season Cup game and would still enhance any team despite their vintage!

Al Nassr and Al Hilal fans arrive at King Fahd

Clad in their respective club colours (blue and yellow for Al Nassr) and blue and white for Al Hilal, fans are arriving at the King Fahd Stadium with less than an hour to go till ko. 

King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh / GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP

as.comPublicado a las: 19/01/202317:01CET

Why will Marcelo Gallardo coach Riyadh Season?

Gallardo posted a short video on social media on 5 January stating that he would be in charge of picking Riyadh Season: “Hello, I’m Marcelo Gallardo and I want to let you know that on 19 January I’m going to manage Riyadh Season, which will be made up of players from Al Hilal and Al Nassr against Paris Saint-Germain. I’ll see you there soon.”

All very matter-of-fact and nothing you didn’t know already. There can be little doubt that the organisers will have waved wads of cash in Gallardo’s face but the Argentine is also thought to be keen on coaching in Europe for his next challenge and what better way to put yourself in the shop window by associating yourself with Messi and, more closely in this case, Ronaldo?

CR7-Messi: head-to-head

In total, the global superstars have met in 36 matches head-to-head, with Messi ending up on the winning side in 16 of those and Ronaldo in 11.

The Argentine also leads the scoring ranking, having netted 22 goals in those 36 games, with Ronaldo converting 21 times.

And the last time the players met saw Cristiano Ronaldo have the last laugh, scoring two penalties to help Juventus to a 3-0 win in December 2020 in a Champions League clash.

Kylian Mbappé likely to start alongside Lionel Messi for PSG

Paris Saint-Germain head into this game in something of a crisis, relatively-speaking. Christotphe Galtier’s side have seen their lead at the top of Ligue 1, which they are expected to win at a canter, cut to just three points as a result of back-to-back away defeats at the hands of Lens and Rennes. Presnel Kimpembé missed the World Cup due to injury and remains on the sidelines, while Marco Verratti and Nuno Mendes won’t be risked. Kylian Mbappé started the defeat to Rennes on the bench but, with Galtier likely to rest players in PSG’s next game in the Coupe de France against sixth-tier side Pays de Cassel, the French superstar should play from the off in Riyadh.

Cristiano Ronaldo to captain Riyadh Season XI

The Riyadh Season All Stars will be made up of a mix of players from Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and Al Hilal, the most decorated club in Saudi Arabia and indeed Asia, having won 65 trophies in their 65-year history. The Portuguese will obviously be the star attraction and it was confirmed on Monday that he would captain the side. But who else is set to play for them? Fellow ex-Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo may start alongside Ronaldo up front, while former Villarreal and Marseille defender Álvaro González, Brazilian winger Matheus Pereira and forward Mousa Marega, formerly of Porto, are other well-known names who could feature.

Saudi Arabian midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari, who hit the headlines thanks to a superb World Cup goal against Messi’s Argentina, is also in contention to play. Former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo will select and coach the team.

Kick off in Riyadh looms...

The game has captivated the imagination of many with fans around the world anxious to see the two greats together, possibly for the last time in this exhibition game to celebrate the Riyadh Season cultural programme in the Saudi capital.

So, could this be the last time we see modern icons of the game Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi share a pitch for the last time?

Cristiano has been named as captain of the Riyadh team which will features stars from Riyadh based teams Al Nassr and Al Hilal and it's anticipated that Messi will participate in some part of the game.

Tonight's kick-off time:

8pm (local time)

6pm (CET)

12:00 pm (ET) / 9am (PT) 

Riyadh Season XI - PSG live online

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as the Cristiano Ronaldo captained Riyadh Season XI face Paris-Saint Germain at the King Fahd Stadium in the Saudi capital.