PSG vs. Al Nassr, Al Hilal All-Stars live score, updates, highlights from Riyadh friendly with Messi and Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will likely match up for the final time as PSG travel to Saudi Arabia to take on the Riyadh All-Stars in a friendly match in the Middle Eastern nation’s capital.

The friendly is part of the state-sponsored Saudi festival known as Riyadh Seasons. It was originally scheduled for PSG’s January break last year, but had to be postponed due to COVID-19 delays, pushing it into the middle of the fixture congestion brought on by the World Cup.

The game comes at an awkward time for all involved. Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to make his Al Nassr debut, thanks to a suspension that carried over from his Premier League time, but will captain the Riyadh All-Stars side. Meanwhile, PSG have lost two recent games in Ligue 1 play to see their formerly comfortable lead atop the French top flight table shrink to just three points.

This match is little more than a showcase event between two star-studded squads featuring two iconic players, but the two teams will hope that a good performance can springboard them further into the season’s competitive matches.

The Sporting News will be following the match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

PSG vs. Riyadh All-Stars live score

Goals:
None

Predicted lineups:

PSG (3-4-3, right to left): Navas (GK) — Danilo, Marquinhos, Ramos — Bernat, Ruiz, Zaire-Emery, Mukiele — Messi, Ekitike, Mbappe.

Riyadh (3-4-3, right to left): Al-Maiouf (GK) — Alawjami, Gonzalez, Alamri  — Al-Haydar, Al-Khaibari, Gustavo, Pereira  — Talisca, Ronaldo, Marega.

PSG vs Riyadh All-Stars live updates, highlights, commentary

120 mins to kick: Before heading over to Saudi Arabia, the PSG squad trained in nearby Qatar. The club is owned by Qatari royalty and have made frequent trips to the country in the past.

🇶🇦🆒 Our Parisians in 𝐷𝑜ℎ𝑎! 🎥#PSGQatarTour2023 I @VisitQatar pic.twitter.com/yXbyxhgZWp

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 18, 2023

🔝🎦

Training open to supporters at Khalifa Stadium with the new 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙝 #PSGxJordan collection ⚫️⚡️#PSGQatarTour2023 I @ooredoo

pic.twitter.com/9yGavJVScq

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 18, 2023

PSG vs Riyadh All-Stars lineups & team news

PSG are yet to confirm their squad, but social media images have hinted at Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Sergio Ramos all being involved. Keylor Navas could get a rare start in goal, as the Costa Rican legend has spent all campaign stuck behind Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The French side has traveled first to Doha, Qatar to train before sliding over to Saudi Arabia for the match. Messi is expected to take part in the match, which has been billed as a final battle between the Argentine and his career rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

PSG projected starting lineup (3-5-2): Navas (GK) — Danilo, Marquinhos, Ramos — Bernat, Ruiz, Zaire-Emery, Mukiele — Messi, Ekitike, Mbappe.

PSG subs (9): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)

The Al Nassr/Al Hilal XI will feature a mix of players from both sides, with Cristiano Ronaldo predicted to captain the hosts, alongside Talisca and Matheus Pereira but Al Nassr goalkeeper David Ospina misses out through injury.

Riyadh All-Stars projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Al-Maiouf (GK) — Alawjami, Gonzalez, Alamri  — Al-Haydar, Al-Khaibari, Gustavo, Pereira  — Talisca, Ronaldo, Marega.

Riyadh All-Stars subs (9): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)

How to watch PSG vs Riyadh All-Stars

The match potentially featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be available to watch around the globe.

According to PSG’s release regarding the exhibition match, the match will be broadcast on the beIN Sports network of channels across the world.

For all territories across the globe with or without beIN Sports, the game will also be broadcast on PSG TV as well as on Twitch and all PSG social media channels.

PSG vs Riyadh All-Stars betting odds & lines

Unsurprisingly, the bookmakers have made French champions PSG the heavy favourites in this one-off clash. 

That’s understandable on the fact of things but if boss Christophe Galtier puts out a weakened side in Riyadh, this match ending in a draw or even in a loss for PSG shouldn’t be out of the question. 

At 9/2, the draw in particular offers fantastic value for the punter, especially given PSG’s struggles of late that saw them lose 0-1 on the road last time out against Rennes in Ligue 1. 

Odds via SkyBet (UK) & Sports Interaction (Canada).