Al Nassr vs PSG: Bruised Ronaldo scores twice to shore up showdown with Messi

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Al Nassr vs PSG: Bruised Ronaldo scores twice to shore up showdown with Messi

Groaning with the ache of a cheek harm, Cristiano Ronaldo stored himself regular earlier than scoring from the penalty spot for his first aim in Saudi Arabia in opposition to a Paris Saint-Germain staff that includes outdated foe Lionel Messi.

Messi had already scored in Thursday’s exhibition recreation when Ronaldo was flattened in boxing-match model by PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas after practically half-hour in Riyadh, town that hosted the 2019 World Heavyweight Championships. The sport gained prominence for internet hosting boxing.

It was Navas, not Anthony Joshua, who caught Ronaldo within the face along with his forearm beneath a excessive ball.

Both fell down like fallen boxers.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his staff’s second aim whereas enjoying for the mixed XI of Saudi Arabian groups Al Nasser and PSG, a pleasant soccer match at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. throughout. AP Photo/Hussain Malla)

Ronaldo grabbed his head, rose again, took a large yawn as if to check his sore left cheek, and despatched his former Real Madrid teammate Navas the flawed means.

By the top of the primary half, Ronaldo’s cheekbones had been shiny apple crimson, however he was beaming after scoring his second aim, when his header got here off the publish and crashed into the rebound. Sticking out his tongue, Ronaldo jumped in pleasure and was heckled by teammates on the nook flag.

When PSG star Kylian Mbappe noticed the place of Ronaldo’s cheek simply earlier than the second half, Ronaldo drew the eye of the France World Cup star and pointed to the crimson mark.

Main traits:

Mbappe smiled at him as if to say “You’ll be fine” and Ronaldo raised his hand in victory like a heavyweight champion.

Messi’s Qatari-backed PSG gained 5-4 in opposition to a mixed XI of Saudi Arabian sides Al Nasser and Al Hilal in entrance of 68,000 followers on the King Fahd International Stadium, captained by Al Nasser’s new signing Ronaldo. Though his staff misplaced, Ronaldo might need outdone the ultimate installment of Ronaldo vs. Messi as one of many biggest rivalries in soccer historical past restarts in an uncommon venue.

Messi’s shot resulted in a handball and PSG’s fourth aim, which Mbappe scored from the penalty spot.

Ronaldo got here in to an enormous ovation simply after the hour mark, adopted by Mbappe and Argentina’s World Cup-winning star Messi, who was warmly embraced by countryman Marcelo Gallardo, who’s teaching the United Saudi Arabia staff.

Ronaldo’s harm darkened with the night time sky as he collected the Man of the Match award.

He was in talks with former Madrid teammates Sergio Ramos and Navas forward of the medal ceremony. He then spoke to his Portugal teammates Renato Sanchez and Danilo, who play for PSG.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores his second aim whereas enjoying for a mixed XI of Saudi Arabian groups Al Nassr and PSG throughout a pleasant soccer match at King Saud University Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Hussain Malla)

But Ronaldo was nowhere close to Messi, nearly like they prevented one another. They had been unable to take action on the sector first, when Messi was tackled by Ronaldo within the second minute.

Moments later, Messi smiled as he scored from Neymar’s lofted go. Ronaldo appeared indignant along with his teammates for letting Messi’s ghost into area. Cheers, as few defenders have ever tracked Messi’s runs, single-handedly stopping him. The World Cup proved that, if it was ever doubtful.

There was little dialog between former Madrid star Ronaldo and his arch-rival Messi throughout Barcelona’s glory days.

It was Ronaldo who approached an emotionless-looking Messi within the middle circle seconds earlier than the whistle blew to begin what was probably his remaining recreation as an opponent.

A well mannered change ensued, the briefest handshake.

Messi checked out Ronaldo late within the first half after PSG defender Juan Bernat was despatched off, and Ronaldo appeared away from Messi.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his staff’s second aim whereas enjoying for the mixed XI of Saudi Arabian groups Al Nasser and PSG, a pleasant soccer match at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. throughout. AP Photo/Hussain Malla)

There was already a distinct temper within the tunnel when a smiling Ronaldo hugged Ramos, who now performs alongside Messi, and joked with Ramos that he forgot to take off an ear stud.

Ramos was later laughed at when he air-kicked a free ball on Ronaldo’s second aim. PSG’s Neymar additionally missed from the penalty spot.

The ambiance rose earlier than the beginning as followers waved Argentine flags, whereas others grabbed Al Nasr’s yellow jersey, proudly pointing to Ronaldo’s No.7. Ticker tape was being poured from the stands as Ronaldo was main his staff out. He smiled and winked to loud applause.

Ronaldo might finish his iconic profession in Riyadh after signing a deal price $200 million a 12 months, swapping Europe’s elite membership competitors for the Asian Champions League.

He makes his Saudi league debut for Al Nassr on Sunday in opposition to Atifaq, the place he shone for Manchester United and Madrid.

intense rivalry

The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has been the best rivalry of all time.

They have 12 Ballon d’Or awards between them – Messi a report seven, Ronaldo 5 – and have gained a mixed 56 main trophies. Ronaldo gained the Champions League 5 instances in comparison with Messi’s 4. Messi is the all-time “El Clásico” high scorer for Barca with 26 objectives, eight greater than Ronaldo for Madrid.

Ronaldo gained the European Championship in 2016 however Messi was good in Argentina’s Copa America victory in 2021 and 2022 World Cup success.

Ronaldo is the all-time main scorer in males’s worldwide soccer with 118 objectives, whereas Messi’s seven on the World Cup put him third general with 98.

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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS

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