Home/Soccer

via Imago

via Imago

It was finally worth the wait as soccer fans around the world finally witnessed the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The world finally got to see the two greatest players as PSG locked horns with Riyad All-Stars in an emphatic friendly.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The match was not only full of goals galore, but the presence of stars including Mbappe, and Neymar lit the pitch in a great fashion. The CR7 also met with his former teammates, Keylor Navas and Sergio Ramos, who also got his name on the scoresheet.

It was one of the best friendlies that millions of soccer fans witnessed that ended in a nine-goal thriller.

PSG scraps millions from friendly

The match was indeed a thriller and had unmatched hype that no other match has ever had. Moreover, the demand for tickets was so much that the biggest aristocrats around the world were even ready to spend millions on a single ticket.

One Saudi Arabian businessman paid $2.7 million for a VIP ticket. Of course, a match featuring the greatest players of all time deserves this kind of money and fame. After all, it was a rivalry that was happening after a span of two years.

Of course, in financial terms, the match did extraordinarily well, with the friendly injecting millions of dollars. Furthermore, according to several reports, PSG collected 10 million euros for playing the friendly match.

The money will be put to good use as PSG is looking to clear its books. The Parisians have a €370m debt to pay to FFP. It sounds weird that a club like PSG has financial woes, given their owners’ backgrounds.

Read More: Saudi Arabian Businessman Splashes Millions on World’s Expensive Ticket To Watch Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi Face Off for a Potential Last Time

However, money matters in soccer are dealt with transparently. Hence, the money will help to clear some of the penalties they owe to FFP.

A debut to remember for Cristiano Ronaldo

It was a night to remember for the Portuguese, who scored a spectacular brace on his debut. The CR7’s fan base was eager to see him in action, who didn’t play for over a month since his former club Manchester United terminated his contract.

Nevertheless, it was a picture-perfect debut for the Portuguese, who captained his side. But all the attempts were in vain as the Ligue one giants dominated the whole pitch.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

PSG was already 10 men down after a nasty challenge from Juan Bernat got him sent off. Nevertheless, the French capital clinched an easy one. Messi, Mbappe, and the center-back duo of Ramos and Marquinhos got their names on the scoresheet.

PSG’s highly-rated teenager, Hugo Ekitike, also scored a powerful strike to get a decent win against the Arabian side.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Perhaps, it was one of the best matches that fans witnessed. We don’t know when we’ll get to see the G.O.A.T.s of soccer battling each other again. Maybe this was indeed the last dance of their rivalry.

WATCH THIS STORY: Tom Brady’s Reaction When Cristiano Ronaldo Asked Him If He Is Finished