On Thursday, January 19th, 2023 there is an exhibition match at the King Fahd International Stadium that will feature Lionel Messi’s club in Paris Saint – Germain playing against a selection of football players from Al Hilal as well as Cristiano Ronaldo’s new club in Al Nassr.
2.6 Million for VIP Ticket
One crazy football fan has reportedly spent approximately $2.6 million in order to obtain a VIP ticket to watch Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play against each other head – to – head live from Saudi Arabia.
Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo head – to – head record consists of some very memorable match – ups.
That special ticket which has been said to be, “Beyond Imagination,” for the match between Messi and Ronaldo just so happened to be auctioned off by the Saudi Arabia government’s entertainment branch which promised the highest bidder the prospect to meet both Cristiano Ronaldo as well as Lionel Messi, and they would gain access to both of the club’s dressing rooms and trophy award displays.
The Bidding for this Elusive VIP Ticket
The bidding for this VIP experience began at a messily $260,000, but it quickly rose to $2.6 million prior to concluding on Wednesday, January 18th, 2023. The funds from this VIP ticket was supposedly raised for charity. Thursday’s game in Riyadh may be the final time that Ronaldo and Messi will take the pitch together at that same time.
Both of those 2 – players are highly considered to be amongst the best in the history of professional football. The last time that they were displayed in the same match was during Barcelona’s 3 to 0 Champions League beat down to Juventus back in December of 2020.
Cristiano Ronaldo
This friendly featured match will also signify Ronaldo’s very 1st – football game since he signed a contract worth over $214 million per year with the Saudi Pro League club of Al Nassr.
The 37 – year – old in Ronaldo left Manchester United back in December of 2022, and he has had to wait for his 1st – game following being slapped with a 2 – match suspension sent down by the English FA after he was found guilty of violently knocking a cell phone from a fan’s hand after Manchester United’s loss to Everton back in April of 2022.
Cristiano is now scheduled to make his 1st – competitive debut for Al Nassr versus Ettifaq on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
Sporting CP
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002
Manchester United
- Premier League: 2006 – 2007, 2007 – 2008, 2008 – 2009
- FA Cup: 2003 – 2004
- Football League Cup: 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009
- FA Community Shield: 2007
- UEFA Champions League: 2007 – 2008
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2011 – 2012, 2016 – 2017
- Copa del Rey: 2010 – 2011, 2013 – 2014
- Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017
- UEFA Champions League: 2013 – 2014, 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018
- UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2017
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017
Juventus
- Serie A: 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020
- Coppa Italia: 2020 – 2021
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2018, 2020
Portugal
- UEFA European Championship: 2016
- UEFA Nations League: 2018 – 2019
Individual
- FIFA Ballon d’Or / Ballon d’Or: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
- FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008
- The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2016, 2017
- The Best FIFA Special Award for Outstanding Career Achievement: 2021
- European Golden Shoe: 2007 – 2008, 2010 – 2011, 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015
- FPF Portuguese Player of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- PFA Players’ Player of the Year: 2006 – 2007, 2007 – 2008
- Premier League Player of the Season: 2006 – 2007, 2007 – 2008
- Premier League Golden Boot: 2007 – 2008
- La Liga Best Player: 2013 – 2014
- Pichichi Trophy: 2010 – 2011, 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015
- Serie A Footballer of the Year: 2019, 2020
- Capocannoniere: 2020 – 2021
Orders
- PRT Ordem de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao de Vila Vicosa Cavaleiro ribbon.svg Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (Portuguese Royal Family)
- PRT Order of Prince Henry – Grand Officer BAR.png Grand officer of the Order of Prince Henry
- POR Ordem do Merito Comendador BAR.svg Commander of the Order of Merit
- Cordão Autonómico de Distinção
Lionel Messi’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
Barcelona
- La Liga (10): 2004 – 2005, 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009, 2009 – 2010, 2010 – 2011, 2012 – 2013, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
- Copa del Rey (7): 2008 – 2009, 2011 – 2012, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2020 – 2021
- Supercopa de España (8): 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
- UEFA Champions League: 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009, 2010 – 2011, 2014 – 2015
- UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
Paris Saint – Germain
- Ligue 1: 2021 – 2022
- Trophée des Champions: 2022
Argentina U – 20
- FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005
Argentina U – 23
Argentina
- FIFA World Cup: 2022
- Copa América: 2021
- CONMEBOL – UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022
Individual
- Ballon d’Or / FIFA Ballon d’Or (7): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021
- FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009
- The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2019
- European Golden Shoe (6): 2009 – 2010, 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022
- FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022
- FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011
- FIFA U – 20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005
- FIFA U – 20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005
- Copa América Best Player: 2015, 2021
- Copa América Top Goalscorer: 2021
- La Liga Best Player (6): 2008 – 2009, 2009 – 2010, 2010 – 2011, 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, 2014 – 2015
- Pichichi Trophy (8): 2009 − 2010, 2011 – 2012, 2012 − 2013, 2016 – 2017, 2017 − 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021
- Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020
- Argentine Footballer of the Year (14): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021
Sources:
Dawson, Rob. “VIP ticket for Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo clash goes for $2.6 million”. ESPN. Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
Football Reference News Services. “Cristiano Ronaldo”. Football Reference. Thursday, January 19, 2023.
Football Reference News Services. “Lionel Messi”. Football Reference. Thursday, January 19, 2023.
