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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr debut date confirmed after Manchester United departure

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo's debut in Saudi Arabia will come on Thursday, January 19 when a combined XI take on PSG in an exhibition match.

Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr was confirmed last month after the 37-year-old departed Old Trafford following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan. During the conversation, the Portuguese international criticised Erik ten Hag, the Glazers, the club as a whole as well as former teammates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney.

United took the decision in November to part company with Ronaldo ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. This meant that the forward was the only free agent at the tournament which ended in tears as Morocco knocked Portugal out in the quarter-finals.

ALSO READ: Ronaldo warned by Xavi over Al-Nassr transfer

In December, Ronaldo would join the Saudi Arabian club however he has been unable to feature for them yet due to serving a two-match ban for slapping a phone out of the hands of a child after United's defeat to Everton last season.

This meant he missed the 2-0 victory over Al-Ta'ee and the upcoming clash with Al-Shabab. However, in a press conference, Ronaldo's new boss Rudi Garcia confirmed that he will feature in an Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal combined XI to take on the French giants.

Garcia explained: "[Ronaldo's debut] won’t be with the Al-Nassr jersey. It will be a mix between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr."

The fixture marks potentially the last time Ronaldo will face his old rival Lionel Messi who currently represents PSG. Messi won the last trophy which had alluded him in his career when he lifted the World Cup following Argentina's penalty shootout victory over France.

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