Cristiano Ronaldo was names Man of the Match in his first game in Saudi Arabia (Picture: Getty Images)
It was a seriously eventful exhibition match in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Riyadh All-Star XI was edged out 5-4 by Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain.
Both superstars got on the scoresheet in the contest, with Messi netting within three minutes and it looked likely to be a long night for the team made of up Al Nassr and Al Hilal.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot on 34 minutes, before Marquinhos put PSG ahead again and Ronaldo equalised for a second time shortly before the half-time whistle.
It was an action-packed end to the first half, not just in terms of goals, as PSG defender Juan Bernat was shown a red card and Neymar saw a penalty kick saved.
The French giants may have been a man down for the second period, but they asserted their dominance with goals from Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike.
Jang Hyun-Soo had given the Saudi side hope when he made it 3-3 and Talisca scored in stoppage time to add more respectability on a crazy night in Riyadh, and did it with a superb strike.
Ronaldo was named Man of the Match on his first appearance since signing for Al Nassr on a free transfer following his Manchester United exit.
He will now likely make his Al Nassr debut in the Saudi Pro League at home against Al Ittifaq on Sunday 22 January.
More to follow…
MORE : Bruno Fernandes denies he was criticising Cristiano Ronaldo with post-Manchester derby comments
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What a match!
