Ronaldo faces duel in the desert with Messi

CRISTIANO RONALDO’S first match since moving to Saudi Arabia could come against Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain in nine days’ time. Ronaldo, 37, joined Saudi team Al-Nassr last month after a controversial exit from Manchester United. He is yet to play for his new club as he must serve a two-match domestic suspension imposed by the FA during his time in England. He would, however, be free to play for an all-star XI of players from Al-Nassr and domestic rivals Al-Hilal in a friendly against Messi’s PSG in Riyadh a week on Thursday. PSG confirmed the fixture yesterday as part of a short tour of the Middle East. Messi and Ronaldo, with a combined 12 Ballon d’Or award wins between them, are widely accepted as the best players of their generation and among the greatest of all time. Ronaldo’s competitive debut for Al-Nassr, who are three points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League, is likely to come on January 22 at home to mid-table side Ettifaq.