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.
