The Saudi Pro League burst into the wider football world’s conscience last month when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr after signing an eye-watering deal worth £175m-a-year.
Having previously been seen as just a minor league in the Middle East – since signing one of the sport’s greatest-ever players – other stars such as Luka Modric, Marco Reus and Sergio Busquets have been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia as they wind down their illustrious careers.
And now, there have even been rumours that Ronaldo’s long-term rival on the pitch and in the ‘GOAT’ (greatest of all time) debate, Lionel Messi, could be joining him – with the Argentinian superstar reportedly lined up for a £245m-a-year deal to join Al-Nassr’s arch-rivals Al-Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play his first game in Saudi Arabia next week after joining Al-Nassr
He is set to be part of a Al-Nassr/Al-Hilal combined team that take on Lionel Messi’s PSG side
Ronaldo is yet to make his debut for his new club as he is serving a two-match FA suspension for slapping a phone out of an Everton fan’s hand last season while he played for Manchester United.
However, he is set to feature for the first time when he takes part in a friendly against Messi’s PSG next Thursday.
A combined Al-Nassr/Al-Hilal outfit will take on the European giants with Ronaldo’s coach at his new club, Rudi Garcia, confirming the 37-year-old will play.
Understandably, this has created significant excitement around the world that the two great rivals will meet again on the pitch with the pair facing off in several iconic clashes over the years.
The game will be played at the King Fahd Stadium, which has a capacity of 68,752, with fans understandably scrambling for tickets.
There has been significant clamour for tickets for the friendly which also is set to see other PSG stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Neymar face off with Messi against Ronaldo and Co
ESPN reported the match had more than two million online requests for tickets, with the game selling out within minutes after going on sale.
The Saudi General Entertainment Authority revealed the ‘golden ticket’ will give its holder ‘beyond imagination’ privileges’, including attending…