Al-Nassr head coach Rudi Garcia has confirmed that new signing Cristiano Ronaldo could make his debut in Saudi Arabia as part of an all-star XI in a friendly against Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain later this month.
After having his contract mutually terminated by Manchester United in November, Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr on a deal until June 2025 and will allegedly earn around £177m per year.
The 37-year-old was unveiled at his new club last week but he is currently serving a FA suspension after knocking a phone out of a supporter’s hand following Man United’s defeat away against Everton in April.
Ronaldo served the first of his two-game ban on Friday and watched on from the dressing room as Al-Nassr secured a 2-0 home victory over Al-Ta’ee in the Saudi Pro League.
Garcia has since confirmed that Ronaldo is in contention to play for an exhibition side made up of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal players against PSG in Riyadh on January 19, before making his Al-Nassr debut three days later against Ettifaq.
As quoted by L’Equipe, Garcia told reporters: “It won’t be with the Al-Nassr jersey. It will be a mix between Al Hilal and Al Nassr.
“As the coach of Al-Nassr, I cannot be happy with this match. For development, to see PSG, to see the great Parisian players, indeed it is a good thing. But we have a championship game three days later.
“In terms of scheduling, it could have been better thought out. But it’s not a big deal… We are in the lead, we are happy. It is a difficult championship to win, but we intend to do it.”
Garcia has also talked up his task in helping Ronaldo rediscover his love for football and has compared the legendary forward’s transfer to that of Pele’s arrival at American club New York Cosmos back in 1975.
“The only thing I want is for him to enjoy playing football again and smile,” the 58-year-old coach added. “In recent months, between Manchester United, the national team and also at a private level, he has not had easy moments. If he finds the pleasure of playing again, a good goal will be achieved.
“[Ronaldo’s move is] a bit like Pele’s arrival, especially for the development of football, sport and culture in Saudi Arabia. It’s great. Great for us, for Al-Nassr. Great for Saudi Arabia.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is more than a player. He is one of the best players in the world. It’s amazing how much it’s put a spotlight on our club. Now everyone knows where our club is around the world.
“We must have gone from 800,000 to 10 million [followers] in a few hours, a few days, because of Cristiano’s arrival.”
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is set to renew acquaintances with Messi – a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner – in the Middle East, having previously battled against the Argentine on several occasions during his 20-year club career in Europe.
The two footballing icons have experienced contrasting seasons, with Ronaldo’s Man United career ending off the back of a scathing interview with Piers Morgan, while Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.
Messi recently returned to PSG following an extended break and is in contention to feature in his first game since becoming a World Cup winner when the Ligue 1 giants face Angers on Wednesday.
Source: SPORTMOLE
