Cristiano Ronaldo‘s first appearance in Saudi Arabia against a Paris Saint-Germain team containing Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar led to over 2 million online requests for tickets, sources have told ESPN.
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Riyadh-based Al Nassr FC worth $75 million-a-year on Dec. 30, but a two-match suspension imposed by the English Football Association in November for knocking a phone out of supporter’s hand during a Premier League game at Everton last season has delayed the 37-year-old’s debut for his new team.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Ronaldo’s ban will be completed when he sits out Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League fixture against Al Shabab on Saturday, making him eligible to make his debut for the club in the home game against Al-Ettifaq at Mrsool Park on Jan. 22.
But with the Portugal forward clear of suspension before a combined team from Al Nassr and Saudi champions Al Hilal face PSG on Jan. 19, sources have said that Ronaldo will play his first game on Saudi soil against the French champions.
