Bruised Ronaldo scores twice for Riyadh XI but Messi's PSG wins hybrid friendly by 5-4

RIYH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Grimacing in pain from his bruised cheekbone, Cristia Ronaldo steied himself before scoring from penalty spot for his first goal in Saudi Arabia against a Paris Saint-Germain team featuring his old foe Lionel Messi.

Messi h alrey scored early in Thursday's exhibition game when Ronaldo was flattened boxing-match style by PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas after about 30 minutes in Riyh, city which gained sporting prominence for hosting a world heavyweight championship boxing bout in 2019 .

It wasn't Anthony Joshua but Navas who caught Ronaldo flush in face with his forearm under a high ball.

Both went down like felled boxers.

Ronaldo held his he, got back up, did a wide yawn as if to test his sore left cheek, and sent his former Real Mrid teammate Navas wrong way.

By end of first half Ronaldo's cheekbone was bright-apple red but he was all smiles after netting his second goal, smashing in a rebound when his heer came back off post. Poking his tongue out, Ronaldo wheeled away in delight and was mobbed by teammates at corner flag.

When PSG star Kylian Mbappé checked on state of Ronaldo’s cheek just before second half, Ronaldo milked attention from France's World Cup star and pointed to red mark.

Mbappé smiled at him as if to say “You’ll be fine” and Ronaldo raised his arm in triumph like a heavyweight champion.

Messi’s Qatari-backed PSG won 5-4 against a combined XI of Saudi Arabian teams Al Nassr and Al Hilal, captained by Al Nassr’s new signing Ronaldo, in front of 68,000 fans at King Fahd International Stium. Although his team lost, Ronaldo edged perhaps final instalment of Ronaldo vs. Messi as one of greatest rivalries in soccer history resumed in an unusual location.

Messi's shot led to a handball and PSG's fourth goal, scored by Mbappé from penalty spot.

Ronaldo came off to a huge ovation just after hour mark followed by Mbappé and Argentina's World Cup-winning star Messi , who was warmly hugged by countryman Marcelo Gallardo, coaching combined Saudi Arabian team.

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