Ronaldo and Messi clash again – Saudi Arabian bids millions for ticket

Game among superstars
Ronaldo and Messi meet again – Saudi Arabian bids millions for VIP ticket

Ronaldo and Messi are the great superstars in football. Their encounter will be followed with particular excitement around the world: after two years, it’s that time again. A Saudi Arabian businessman even offered millions for a VIP ticket to the game.

Christiano Ronaldo caused a stir with his signing at the Saudi Arabian football club Al-Nassr. Instead of a European club and an option for a possible participation in the Champions League, the 37-year-old soccer star is continuing his career away from the big soccer stage in the desert state. In return, he should get the equivalent of around 200 million euros per season, including advertising revenue.

On January 19, many eyes will probably be on Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. Because there will be another meeting between CR7 and Lionel Messi. A Saudi Arabian businessman is offering 10 million riyals (the equivalent of 2.66 million US dollars) for a VIP ticket to the test match. That means Mushref Al-Ghamdi, general manager of real estate group Aqar One, is currently leading a bidding auction that runs until January 17.

Ronaldo’s new Riyadh club Al-Nassr will team up with city rivals Al-Hilal to play Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with Argentinian superstar Messi in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh. It will be the first meeting between the two multiple world footballers in a football game since December 2020. At that time, Ronaldo won 3-0 with Juventus Turin against FC Barcelona in the group stage of the Champions League. The Portuguese superstar scored twice (both from penalties). In addition to the game, the owner of the ticket offered can take part in the subsequent award ceremony and meet the two record players in the dressing rooms.

After Ronaldo’s commitment, there should also be interest in Messi

Ronaldo, who is currently awaiting his Al-Nassr debut, has signed a 2.5-year contract and has been in the squad since early January. Messi also already has ties to Saudi Arabia, he is the country’s tourism ambassador. The 35-year-old is under contract with PSG – owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) – until June 30. According to a recent media report by the Spanish specialist newspaper “Mundo Deportivo”, Al-Nassr’s city rival Al-Hilal is interested in signing Messi.

The club wants to offer the superstar, who won the soccer World Cup with Argentina last month, an annual salary of 350 million US dollars. Other media had previously reported on Al-Hilal’s possible million-dollar offer. Much of the money would come from the state. It’s not just about Al-Hilal, but also about the plan to host the 2030 World Cup together with Egypt and Greece. To get the nod for it, professionals like Ronaldo and Messi are needed. According to media reports, Inter Miami and Messi’s home club FC Barcelona are also interested in signing the Argentine. Ronaldo should also stir the drum for Saudi Arabia’s World Cup candidacy.

Saudi Arabia is also said to be interested in other well-known footballers. The English “Daily Mail” reported last week that Al-Nassr is also said to be planning to sign BVB captain Marco Reus. The names of Luka Modric (Real Madrid) and Sergio Ramos (PSG) were also mentioned in connection with Al-Nassr.

Sources: Reuterswith material from the dpa