Parisian coach Christophe Galtier would probably have done well without this long trip when his players seem to have lost track since the end of the World Cup.

Paris has just conceded two defeats in its last three Ligue 1 outings and the context is rather bad for such a trip to the Middle East.

The Parisians will chain two night flights three days apart and will then go to Lens to face Pays de Cassel (R1, 6th division), Monday in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France.

Not ideal for regenerating bodies and minds as the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Bayern Munich approaches on February 14.

But if from a sporting point of view, this upheaval in the program raises questions, the leaders of PSG can however rub their hands economically.

They will receive "more than 10 million euros", according to a source at the club, for this gala meeting against a team called Riyadh Season Team, made up of players from the two biggest clubs in the capital, al-Nassr and al - Hilal.

This small jackpot is far from negligible for a club which posted losses of 369 million euros in 2022, according to the football division of the KPMG firm.

$2.6M ticket

For the local organizers, the arrival of the Parisian stars is an opportunity to afford a giant publicity, in the same way as the holding in Ryad of the Supercups of Spain and Italy in recent days.

And what better than the prospect of a confrontation between Messi and Ronaldo to shine the spotlight on Saudi Arabia, "a real football country", according to its coach Hervé Renard.

Cristiano Ronaldo poses for a selfie during his presentation to Al-Nassr, his new club in Saudi Arabia, at Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh on January 3, 2023. © - / AFP

With "CR7" and "Pulga", who between them weigh twelve Ballons d'Or and nine Champions Leagues, but also Kylian Mbappé and Neymar on the Parisian side, four of the best players on the planet meet for this prestigious match, which promises a great show on the lawn of the King Fahd stadium.

Media from all over the world are expected for what could be the last confrontation between the two geniuses with an immense career.

It will be Ronaldo's very first game in Saudi Arabia since signing his eye-watering contract with al-Nassr, with his league debut theoretically scheduled for January 22.

To challenge PSG, the local selection will also include Brazilians Luiz Gustavo and Talisca or Saudi star Salem al-Dawsari, scorer in the historic victory over Argentina (2-1) at the start of the World Cup.

Saudi Salem Al-Dawsari (d) grapples with Argentinian Lionel Messi (g) during the World Cup match in Qatar won 2-1 by Saudi on November 22, 2022 at Lusail stadium.

© Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

This team will be coached by Argentinian Marcelo Gallardo, a former PSG player (2007-2008) who has just ended eight successful years on the bench of River Plate, where he notably won two Copas Libertadores.

Sign of the expectation aroused by this match like no other, a Saudi real estate magnate did not hesitate to pay 2.6 million dollars to buy a ticket at auction and attend the face-to-face between Messi and Ronaldo.

© 2023 AFP