What didn't happen at the World Cup in Qatar happened tonight (Thursday) not far away in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a meeting between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps the last meeting ever.
68,000 spectators filled the "King Fahd" stadium for the friendly match between PSG and the Riyadh Stars team which was made up of Al Ilhal players and the new team of the Portuguese Al Nasser.
This is how Messi, Mbappe, Neymar, Sergio Ramos, Hakimi and Marquinhos gathered on one field alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Salem Al Dusri, who scored the winning goal for Saudi Arabia over Argentina in the World Cup, was also on the grass from the start.
Ronaldo celebrates with Ramos, photo: AP
Ronaldo celebrates a double, photo: AP
Ronaldo against Messi, tonight in Riyadh,
The game itself met all expectations and even exceeded.
Leo Messi, who was applauded every time he touched the ball, scored first with a kick from outside the box.
As in the good old days in Spain, a reaction came very quickly from Ronaldo's direction.
The Portuguese was fouled in the area by Keylor Navas and scored himself from the penalty spot.
What followed was stormy.
Juan Bernat was sent off, Neymar missed a penalty, Marquinhos narrowly pushed the 1:2 of the French champions, and then Ronaldo appeared again.
He completed a brace, making it 2:2 and not forgetting his iconic goal celebration.
In the second half, almost everyone was replaced, including the Argentine and the Portuguese.
Despite playing with ten players, PSG managed to regain the advantage and win in the end 4:5 with the additional goals scored by Ramos, Mbappe on a penalty and Hugo Akitika.
Now one question remains: was this the last meeting between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
8 goals in Riyadh,
PSG celebrates in a big way, photo: AP
Paris Trio celebrates,
Mbappe Dohar, photo: AP
Mbappe spends his time in Riyadh,
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us
