Watch Highlights: Bruised Ronaldo scores twice to edge showdown with Messi

Grimacing in ache from his bruised cheekbone, Cristiano Ronaldo steadied himself earlier than scoring from the penalty spot for his first objective in Saudi Arabia towards a Paris Saint-Germain group that includes outdated foe Lionel Messi.

Messi had already scored early in Thursday’s exhibition sport when Ronaldo was flattened boxing-match model by PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas after about half-hour in Riyadh, the town which gained sporting prominence for internet hosting a world heavyweight championship boxing bout in 2019.

It wasn’t Anthony Joshua however Navas who caught Ronaldo flush within the face along with his forearm beneath a excessive ball.

Both went down like felled boxers.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his facet’s second objective enjoying for a mixed XI of Saudi Arabian groups Al Nassr and PSG throughout a pleasant soccer match, on the King Saud University Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Ronaldo held his head, acquired again up, did a large yawn as if to check his sore left cheek, and despatched his former Real Madrid teammate Navas the incorrect means.

By the tip of the primary half Ronaldo’s cheekbone was vivid apple purple however he was all smiles after netting his second objective, smashing in a rebound when his header got here again off the publish. Poking his tongue out, Ronaldo wheeled away in delight and was mobbed by teammates on the nook flag.

When PSG star Kylian Mbappé checked on the state of Ronaldo’s cheek simply earlier than the second half, Ronaldo milked the eye from France’s World Cup star and pointed to the purple mark.

Highlights:

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

Messi’s Qatari-backed PSG gained 5-4 towards a mixed XI of Saudi Arabian groups Al Nassr and Al Hilal, captained by Al Nassr’s new signing Ronaldo, in entrance of 68,000 followers at King Fahd International Stadium. Although his group misplaced, Ronaldo edged maybe the ultimate instalment of Ronaldo vs. Messi as one of many biggest rivalries in soccer historical past resumed in an uncommon location.

Messi’s shot led to a handball and PSG’s fourth objective, scored by Mbappé from the penalty spot.

Ronaldo got here off to an enormous ovation simply after the hour mark adopted by Mbappé and Argentina’s World Cup-winning star Messi, who was warmly hugged by countryman Marcelo Gallardo, teaching the mixed Saudi Arabian group.

Ronaldo’s bruise darkened with the evening sky as he collected his man of the match award.

He was locked in dialog with ex-Madrid teammates Sergio Ramos and Navas earlier than the medal ceremony. Then he spoke to Portugal teammates Renato Sanches and Danilo, who play for PSG.

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

But Ronaldo was nowhere close to Messi, virtually like they averted one another. They couldn’t do this earlier on the sphere, when Ronaldo tackled Messi within the second minute.

Moments later, Messi smiled as he scored from Neymar’s lofted move. Ronaldo regarded irritated along with his teammates for letting Messi ghost into area. Harsh, as a result of few defenders have ever tracked Messi’s runs, not to mention stopped them. The World Cup proved that, if it was ever unsure.

There was scant interplay between former Madrid star Ronaldo and Messi, his arch rival throughout Barcelona’s glory days.

It was Ronaldo who tentatively approached an impassive-looking Messi on the heart circle seconds earlier than the whistle blew to begin maybe their remaining sport as opponents.

There was a well mannered trade, the briefest handshake.

Messi stared at Ronaldo late within the first half, after PSG defender Juan Bernat had been despatched off, and Ronaldo appeared to look away from Messi.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his facet’s second objective enjoying for a mixed XI of Saudi Arabian groups Al Nassr and PSG throughout a pleasant soccer match, on the King Saud University Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

It was a distinct temper within the tunnel beforehand, when a grinning Ronaldo hugged Ramos, who now performs alongside Messi, and joked with Ramos that he’d forgotten to take away an ear stud.

The snort was on Ramos later, when he air-kicked a unfastened ball on Ronaldo’s second objective. PSG’s Neymar additionally missed, from the penalty spot.

The ambiance constructed earlier than the beginning as followers waved Argentina flags whereas others held up the yellow jersey of Al Nassr, pointing proudly to Ronaldo’s No. 7 on the again. The ticker tape poured from the stands as Ronaldo led his group out. He smiled and winked when he acquired a loud ovation.

Ronaldo may finish his storied profession in Riyadh after signing a deal price a reported $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 towards Ettifaq, removed from the fields the place he shone for Manchester United and Madrid.

INTENSE RIVALRY

The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has been among the many biggest ever.

Between them they’ve 12 Ballon d’Or awards — Messi a file seven, Ronaldo 5 — and have gained a mixed 56 main trophies. Ronaldo gained the Champions League 5 occasions, in comparison with Messi’s 4. Messi is the all-time “El Clasico” high scorer with 26 objectives for Barca, eight greater than Ronaldo for Madrid.

Ronaldo gained the European Championship in 2016 however Messi was sensible in Argentina’s Copa America win in 2021 and its 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 took him to 3rd total with 98.

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