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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Al-Hilal ‘put Lionel Messi shirts on sale’ to spark feud with Cristiano Ronaldo in rivalry with Al-Nassr

The biggest rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo’s new club have reportedly put Lionel Messi’s shirts on display in their official club shop.

Al-Hilal, who play the Riyadh derby againts neighbours Al-Nassr, appear to be selling kits with the Argentina hero’s name on the back in a jibe at Ronaldo’s imminent arrival in Saudi Arabia.

The 37-year-old is soon due to be unveiled by his new club after leaving Manchester United and signing a huge £175million-a-year contract.

No doubt, Al-Nassr hope the signing will lead to huge interest in the club and drive shirt sales but Al-Hilal have apparently attempted to steal the spotlight with social media images showing Messi’s shirt hung up in their official shop.

There are even hopes that Messi and Ronaldo, who last year teamed up for a Louis Vuitton advert, will soon face off on the pitch.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly in talks to face a Saudi Arabian league all-star XI in a friendly later this month.

Ronaldo, who is yet to make his Al-Nassr debut, would be in contention to play for his new home if the game is organised.

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