Much like careers that converged a decade or more at the very summit of football, for the majority on Thursday night in Riyadh, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi vied with one another for the limelight.
At what appeared a near sell-out King Fahd Stadium, an estimated 68,000 fans serenaded two of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game. Paris Saint-Germain were in town to take on a Riyadh Allstar XI and, while Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Achraf Hakimi had their obvious admirers, it was clear from the outset who most have come to witness.
Reports suggested there had been in excess of two million online ticket requests. Apparently, one businessman forked out 10 million Saudi riyals ($2.6m) for a one-of-a-kind ticket that came with extraordinary perks, including photo ops with the Allstar team captained by Ronaldo and a Paris side headlined by Messi.
At 2pm on gameday, “Messi” was the top-trending subject on Twitter in Saudi Arabia, almost one month to the day after he sat perched at football’s peak, holding aloft the World Cup trophy in Qatar.
At King Fahd Stadium, excitable supporters competed pre-match for airtime on the jumbo television screens, almost all either parading “Ronaldo 7” Al Nassr or Portugal jerseys – he continues as captain of his country – or “Messi 10” Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Barcelona – his former club – or Argentina shirts. At one point, a huge roar greeted a sizeable Nassr banner being displayed, with Ronaldo in his new club’s blue and yellow alongside the Saudi Pro League leaders’ badge.
In retaliation, and such is a rivalry that has consumed football since the two men with 12 Ballon d’Or trophies between them first rose to prominence, the next “Messi 10” Argentina jersey elicited an even louder reaction. “Messi! Messi! Messi!” the crowd chanted.
From there, the give-and-take continued, through the warm-ups, the initial touches of the ball once the exhibition Riyadh Season Cup had begun, when Messi opened the scoring on two minutes, and when Ronaldo – as Ronaldo is wont to do – snatched back the spotlight with two goals later in the first half.
The superstars, for that is what they are - with 535 million, Ronaldo resides as the most followed person on Instagram, Messi second with 420m – where withdrawn just after the hour, but still they were never far from view.
When the TV cameras beamed images of both on the big screen from their respective benches, they were greeted by a cacophony of noise. Ronaldo grinned wide; later he blew a kiss, prompting his name to reverberate around the arena.
Typically more understated, Messi glanced at himself depicted high above and simply smiled. His supporters called out his name repeatedly, making the bow-down, we’re-not-worthy gesture that has transported from Barcelona to Buenos Aires, to Paris, to Qatar and, now, Saudi Arabia.
The hope for many is that it would not be the last time it is experienced in the country. It may seem fanciful, and an extension to his expiring PSG contract remains most likely, but Messi has been linked strongly with an incredibly lucrative move to Al Hilal, Nassr's cross-city rivals and current champions of both Saudi Arabia and Asia.
Ironically, it feels that Ronaldo has made his long-time foe's arrival more plausible. The former Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward signed with Nassr last month, agreeing to a two-and-a-half-year contract reportedly worth upwards of $200m per season. The nine-time Saudi champions hailed the acquisition as “more than history in the making”.
In a tweet to mark the moment, Saudi minister of sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal pledged to “support the rest of our clubs for quality deals with international stars soon”.
It suggests a compelling period ahead for the 16-team Saudi Pro League, whose clubs are permitted to register eight foreign players. At present, there are 128 expatriate players in the division, with 48 nationalities represented.
Ronaldo’s recruitment, though, has raised the bar in terms of the calibre of footballer that presumably can be enticed. In the past three weeks, in the slipstream of the five-time Uefa Champions League winner's signing, the names mentioned to potentially follow have included Real Madrid stars Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Eden Hazard, Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets, PSG’s Sergio Ramos, Liverpool’s Robert Firmino and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.
Speaking to Reuters this week, football finance expert Neil Joyce said: "The Ronaldo effect could take hold in that area and, given the success of the World Cup in that region, I think it makes a lot of sense for Ronaldo and the value that it can bring in the not-too-distant future.
"You're going to see a series of relatively high-profile stars that maybe are entering the latter stages of their career, probably moving over to Saudi Arabia."
Of course, Messi represents another level altogether. The record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, whose contribution in delivering Argentina the most recent World Cup has arguably elevated him to greatest-of-all-time status – look away, Ronaldo – has an obvious connection to Saudi as the kingdom’s tourism ambassador.
Last week, reports claimed Messi was offered just shy of $300m per year to join Hilal once his contract with PSG expires at the end of the season.
On Wednesday, when asked about the possibility of the Argentina captain plying his trade in the Saudi top flight, the country's football federation general secretary, Ibrahim Al Kassim, said: “We are not involved in any kind of agreements or negotiations between the clubs and players.
“If you ask me about Messi coming to Saudi Arabia, who would not love to see Messi playing in their country? Of course, everyone would love to see again Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi playing in the same league. But we are not involved in that.”
Echoing Joyce's remarks, and underlining the newfound interest outside the kingdom in its football, Al Kassim added: “Now that Cristiano Ronaldo is here, that will also open the door for so many other players who can join the league. So that will also add toward the improvement of the Saudi league and Saudi Arabia.”
Buoyed by Ronaldo, whose official Nassr debut comes on Sunday, and thus bullish now in landing Messi, fans continue to dream.
Outside King Fahd Stadium on Thursday night, Riyadh-born engineering student Mohammed Abdullah said he would even set aside his life-long allegiance to Nassr to welcome Messi at neighbours Hilal.
“If Messi comes to Al Hilal, I would not be surprised," Abdullah said. "Al Hilal and Al Nassr are the top clubs in Riyadh. For sure, Hilal is a very big team and if they want a player, they can afford it.
“I’m already proud of my country, but I would be even more proud if we bring Ronaldo and Messi. With Ronaldo, this is a new level of excitement, not only for the young people in Saudi Arabia – all the eyes of the world are on Saudi football. This hits different.”
Imagine, then, the impact of Messi, too.
Another Riyadh native, Khalid Al Daher, is convinced his club will sign the 35-year-old playmaker, if only because football fandom has long encouraged a healthy appetite for one-upmanship.
“For sure, if Nassr have Ronaldo, we must have Messi,” Al Daher said. “Messi will come in the summer. Believe me. Hilal are the biggest club in Asia. So they must have the best player also.”
FIGHT CARD
Welterweight Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Tohir Zhuraev (TJK)
Catchweight 75kg Leandro Martins (BRA) v Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Flyweight Corinne Laframboise (CAN) v Manon Fiorot (FRA)
Featherweight Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB)
Lightweight Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) v Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG)
Featherweight Yousef Al Housani (UAE) v Mohamed Arsharq Ali (SLA)
Catchweight 69kg Jung Han-gook (KOR) v Elias Boudegzdame (ALG)
Catchweight 71kg Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
Featherweight title Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
Lightweight title Bruno Machado (BRA) v Mike Santiago (USA)
Specs%20
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.
Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.
The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Major matches on Manic Monday
Andy Murray (GBR) v Benoit Paire (FRA)
Grigor Dimitrov (BGR) v Roger Federer (SUI)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) v Gilles Muller (LUX)
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Bridgerton%20season%20three%20-%20part%20one
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicola%20Coughlan%2C%20Luke%20Newton%2C%20Jonathan%20Bailey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Ajax v Real Madrid, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
The%20specs%3A%20Panamera%20Turbo%20E-Hybrid
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi