The exhibition match between PSG and the Riyadh Season Team may not have had any significant implications for the teams involved, but it gave soccer fans around the world a Look into the storied rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The two superstars took to the pitch at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and delivered a thrilling display of their skills, getting on the scoresheet in a 5-4 win for PSG.
The match got off to a blistering start, with PSG racing into the lead in the third minute thanks to a deft finish from Messi. Played through on goal by Neymar, Messi was able to poke the ball past goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Owais, giving the Parisian side a decisive early advantage. However, the Riyadh Season Team, featuring players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal, refused to back down, with Ronaldo an ever-present threat.
Despite going behind early, the Saudi-based team had numerous chances to level the game, and they eventually did so when Ronaldo won a penalty after a collision with PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas. The Portuguese superstar calmly converted the spot kick, and the game was back on level terms. PSG responded well to the equaliser, scoring through defender Marquinhos, but the Riyadh Season Team would not be denied, with Ronaldo once again equalising the game on the verge of halftime.
Ronaldo and Messi (Via Ronaldo and Messi/Twitter)
The goals continued to flow after the break, with Sergio Ramos turning in a Kylian Mbappe cross before South Korean Jang Hyun-soo replied with a near-post header from a corner. A handball by Ali Al-Bulaihi gave the visitors a penalty, which was expertly dispatched by Mbappe, his last contribution to the game. Mbappe, along with Messi, Neymar, and Ronaldo, was among the many players substituted in the second half, but not before Ekitike extended PSG’s lead to 5-3 with a thumping finish following a lung-busting run from the halfway line.
Anderson Talisca scored a late consolation goal for the Saudis in added time, but it was Ekitike’s goal that proved to be the decisive moment in the match. Despite the loss, Ronaldo will take heart from his performance, which served as a warm-up for his first competitive appearance for Al Nassr when they host Al Ettifaq on Sunday. As for Messi and PSG, they earned the win, but will likely not dwell on this match, focusing instead on their upcoming Ligue 1 fixtures.
This match served as a reminder of the enduring appeal of Ronaldo and Messi, whose rivalry has charmd fans around the world for over a decade. Despite being at an advanced stage in their careers, both players still possess the skill and athleticism to dominate the pitch, and their presence in the same match always guarantees an electric atmosphere. The football world may not have much to gain from this exhibition match, but the fans certainly did, and for that, we should be grateful.
