PSG Boss Calls Messi Versus Ronaldo Final Showdown A Good Advertisement for Football

• PSG manager Christophe Galtier believes his team's friendly against Riyadh XI is a good move
• Cristiano Ronaldo is set to face long-term rival Lionel Messi when he captains the combined XI
• The game marks Ronaldo's start in Saudi Arabia after the veteran joined Al-Nassr in December

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will battle it out for the final time, when Paris Saint-Germain tackles a selected eleven of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal players on Thursday, January 19.

The game has been billed as the last 'Messi versus Ronaldo' showdown after a rivalry that has held football spellbound for the past 17 years.

According to Sportskeeda, PSG manager, Christophe Galtier believes the latest showdown between the two superstars will be a good promotion for football in the Middle East.

"It's good for international football, for football in this region. It's a great promotion of our sport. I think there will be an audience."

Breath-taking photos of Ronaldo training at Al-Nassr's world class facility emerges

Football

The friendly game between Riyadh XI and PSG will mark the first time Ronaldo and Messi will go up against each other, since the group stages of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League - when they represented Juventus and Barcelona respectively.

Fan splashes on Messi-Ronaldo ticket

Meanwhile, one diehard football fan has spent $2.6-million for a VIP ticket for the final showdown, ESPN reports.

The exhibition match will feature PSG - including Messi - facing a select side made up of players from Al-Hilal and Ronaldo's new club, Al-Nassr.

The game will be played at the King Fahd International Stadium on Thursday and has been dubbed as the final showdown between the veterans.

Ronaldo to captain Saudi all-stars

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Ronaldo being named captain of the Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal combined XI, ahead of the friendly against PSG.

Al-Nassr coach confirms when Ronaldo will debut in Saudi Arabia

Football

The Portuguese star is expected to make his first appearance since his move to the gulf region against Messi's French giants on Thursday, January 19.

The 37-year-old's much-heralded Al-Nassr debut was delayed due to a ban slapped on him by the English FA, with the friendly against PSG expected as his first on Saudi Arabian soil.