Messi-Ronaldo match in Saudi Arabia to air on beIN Sports Xtra
The latest, and potentially last battle between Messi and Ronaldo is taking place in Saudi Arabia, and beIN SPORTS has the exclusive coverage.
The contest is on Thursday, Jan. 19, beginning at 11:30AM ET live on beIN SPORTS XTRA and beIN SPORTS XTRA en Español. Kickoff time is Noon ET.
Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia on a permanent basis for a record contract at the turn of the year. Messi, now a World Cup winner, remains with PSG, playing alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.
Despite playing on different continents, this upcoming friendly is a chance to see two of the greatest of all time battle again. However, it is not Messi and PSG against Ronaldo and Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Instead, PSG is taking on a combined XI of all-stars from Riyadh.
Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, is home to three teams in the Saudi Professional League. Those are Al Shabab, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. However, this friendly excludes Al Shabab, only pulling a combined squad from Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, the team Cristiano Ronaldo plays for.
Ronaldo making Saudi Arabia debut against Messi and PSG
The Portuguese star is yet to make his debut with Al-Nassr. A two-match ban from the FA extended into Saudi Arabia, putting a hold on his debut. However, this game against PSG is in an uncompetitive setting. Moreover, he will not be in the Al-Nassr shirt, yet.
Ronaldo’s name and resume does enough to get him into this combined XI between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Also, it helps organizers sell tickets and interest into the friendly. The Saudi Arabia bout is the first time Messi takes on Ronaldo since December of 2020. Back then, the two players represented Barcelona and Juventus, respectively. How times have changed for both since then.
In addition to Messi, Ronaldo has the challenge of taking on Mbappé, Neymar and former teammate Sergio Ramos.
beIN SPORTS to carry the clash
Coverage of the game is available on beIN SPORTS XTRA on Thursday, Jan. 19.
beIN SPORTS XTRA is a free, English-language streaming channel that’s available to viewers in the United States.
The streaming channel offers a sampling of beIN SPORTS’ exclusive live sports coverage. That includes access to select games from Ligue 1, SüperLig, Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. Plus AFCON, Ligue 2, CONMEBOL Recopa, CONMEBOL Sudamerica, Coupe de France, and Coupe de La Ligue. Last but not least, XTRA features lots of original sports programming.
To find out how to get the channel, visit our beIN SPORTS XTRA page for more details.