La Semana

Ronaldo could make Saudi debut in PSG friendly - Al Nassr coach

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Ronaldo missed the first of two domestic games for Al Nassr on Friday after being suspended by England's Football Associatio­n (FA) for knocking a phone out of a fan's hand following Manchester United's defeat at Everton in April.

Garcia confirmed the 37year-old forward would also miss the league game against Al Shabab and make his debut against Ettifaq on Jan. 22 - unless he plays against Lionel Messi's PSG in a team made up of players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal in Riyadh on Jan. 19.

"It (his debut) won't be with the Al Nassr jersey. It will be a mix between Al Hilal and Al Nassr," Garcia was quoted as saying by L'equipe.

"As the coach of Al Nassr, I cannot be happy with this

Jan (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo will serve his suspension before making his league debut for his new Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr but he could play against Paris St Germain in a friendly this month, coach Rudi Garcia has said.

match. For developmen­t, to see PSG, to see the great Parisian players, indeed it is a good thing. But we have a championsh­ip game three days later.

"In terms of scheduling, it could have been better thought out. But it's not a big deal... We are in the lead, we are happy. It is a difficult championsh­ip to win, but we intend to do it."

Garcia said Ronaldo's arrival in Saudi Arabia was similar to Pele's move to New York Cosmos, shining the spotlight on the little-known Saudi club who have amassed more than 10 million new Instagram followers since his signing last month.

The former Lille and Olympique Lyonnais coach said he hopes Ronaldo rediscover­s the enjoyment of playing football after a tumultuous two-month period during which his United contract was terminated and Portugal lost in the World Cup quarter-finals.

"In recent months, between Manchester United, the national team and also at a private level, he has not had easy moments," Garcia said.

"If he finds the pleasure of playing again, it will be a good goal to achieve."

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