Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing today vs PSG? Latest update on CR7 lineup status for Riyadh Season Cup

Joshua Thomas

Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing today vs PSG? Latest update on CR7 lineup status for Riyadh Season Cup image

More than a month since his last match, Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to return to action on Thursday. 

The Portugal star sealed a move to Saudi Arabia at the end of 2022 following a falling out with Manchester United.

Ronaldo's first match in the country, however, won't be for his new club Al Nassr.

Instead, the 37-year-old will make his debut in the Middle East as part of a combined Al Nassr and Al Hilal All-Star team set to take on French giants PSG in the Riyadh Season Cup.

LIVE: PSG vs. Al Nassr, Al Hilal All-Stars live score, updates, highlights from Riyadh friendly with Messi and Ronaldo

MORE: PSG vs Al Nassr, Al Hilal prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Riyadh Season Cup 2023 in Saudi Arabia

 

Is Ronaldo playing today vs PSG?

After missing Al Nassr's last two games through a lingering suspension from his time in England, Ronaldo is expected to feature prominently against PSG on Thursday. 

Ronaldo has been named captain of the Riyadh All-Stars side meaning he should start and play a significant portion of the game. 

Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia has previously commented on Ronaldo's involvement in the match pointing out that his club also has a competitive match just three days later, so there is a chance his minutes could be capped as a result.

"It (Ronaldo's debut) won't be with the Al Nassr jersey. It will be a mix between Al Hilal and Al Nassr," Garcia told L'Equipe.

"As the coach of Al Nassr, I cannot be happy with this match. For development, to see PSG, to see the great Parisian players, indeed it is a good thing. But we have a championship game three days later.

"In terms of scheduling, it could have been better thought out. But it's not a big deal...We are in the lead, we are happy. It is a difficult championship to win, but we intend to do it."

MORE: Who has the edge in the Ronaldo vs. Messi head-to-head matchups?

Al Nassr/Al-Hilal squad for Riyadh Season Cup

While Ronaldo headlines the team set to take on PSG, it certainly isn't short on other quality players. 

Salem Al-Dawsari scored twice at the World Cup for Saudi Arabia and could prove a dangerous ally up front for Ronaldo. 

While predominantly made up of players from Saudi Arabia, the side does include three Brazilians in the persons of Matheus Pereira, Luiz Gustavo and Talisca. 

Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina was also expected to feature but recently underwent elbow surgery so he has been ruled out. 

MORE: Who's paying Cristiano Ronaldo his monstrous salary?

Position Player Club Nationality
Goalkeeper Amin Al Bukhari Al Nassr S. Arabia
Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais Al Hilal S. Arabia
Right-back Saud Abdulhamid Al Hilal S. Arabia
Centre-back Ali Al-Boleahi Al Hilal S. Arabia
Centre-back Jang Hyun-soo Al Hilal S. Korea
Centre-back Khalifah Al-Dawsari Al Hilal S. Arabia
Centre-back Ali Al-Oujami Al Nassr S. Arabia
Centre-back Abdulelah Al-Amri Al Nassr S. Arabia
Centre-/Left-back Abdullah Madu Al Nassr S. Arabia
Right-back Sultan Al-Ghannam Al Nassr S. Arabia
Def. Mid. Abdullah Otayf Al Hilal S. Arabia
Center Mid Mohammed Kanno Al Hilal S. Arabia
Right wing Andre Carrillo Al Hilal Peru
Att. Mid. Matheus Pereira Al Hilal Brazil
Def. Mid. Luiz Gustavo Al Nassr Brazil
Def. Mid. Abdullah Al-Khaibari Al Nassr S. Arabia
Att. Mid. Sami Al-Najei Al Nassr S. Arabia
Att. Mid. Talisca Al Nassr Brazil
Att. Mid. Pity Martinez Al Nassr Argentina
Left wing Salem Al-Dawsari Al Hilal S. Arabia
Forward Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr Portugal
Forward Moussa Marega Al Hilal Mali

Joshua Thomas

Joshua Thomas Photo

Josh has been covering sport for nearly a decade now having fallen in love with football at a young age. A UTS graduate, Josh has previously worked for GOAL and now covers football closely for The Sporting News.