When is Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr debut and how can you watch Saudi league in UAE?

The Portuguese star played his first game on Saudi soil during friendly against PSG and Lionel Messi in Riyadh

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal for Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 19, 2023. AP

Lionel Messi is congratulated by his PSG teammates after opening the scoring.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the first goal for Riyadh All-Stars. AP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring Riyadh All-Stars' first goal. AFP

Kylian Mbappe scores the fourth goal for PSG. AFP

Riyadh All-Star's South Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo levels at 3-3. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo takes a throw-in. Photo: General Entertainment Authority

Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to take a penalty. Photo: General Entertainment Authority

Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot for the Riyadh All-Stars. Photo: General Entertainment Authority

Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Paris Saint-Germain. AFP

PSG forward Lionel Messi next to long-time rival, Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo greets Riyadh All-Stars' Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo after being substituted. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his team's third goal. AFP

Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. AFP

PSG's Kylian Mbappe greets Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo grimaces. AP

PSG's Hugo Ekitike (l) celebrates after scoring their fifth. AP

Lionel Messi takes a shot. AFP

PSG defender Juan Bernat is shown the red card by Qatari referee Abdulrahman al-Jassim. AFP

Juan Bernat fouls Riyadh All-Star's Saudi midfielder Salem al-Dawsari, leading to a red card. AFP

PSG's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal in Riyadh. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo is challenged by PSG's Lionel Messi. AP

Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG's Marquinhos with officials before the match. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar ahead of the match. AFP

PSG''s Kylian Mbappe and Neymar warm up. AFP

A fan holds up a banner of Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo inside the stadium before the match. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Messi and Ronaldo vie for the ball during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority

Lionel Messi lines up before kick off. Photo: General Entertainment Authority

Lionel Messi shoots at goal. Photo: General Entertainment Authority

Saudi All-Stars in action against French champions PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority

Football fans in Saudi Arabia finally got to see their newest signing - Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo - on the field this week and it was an unforgettable occasion.

The superstar had been able to play for Riyadh club Al Nassr, who he signed for on December 30, due to a two-match domestic ban imposed by the English FA for knocking a phone out of a fan's hand when he played for Manchester United against Everton last April.

But fans were finally able to see Ronaldo play in an action-packed friendly between a Saudi All-Star XI and Lionel Messi's Paris Saint-Germain in Riyadh on Thursday.

Ronaldo marked his maiden outing at his new home with two goals against PSG at the King Fahd Stadium.

The Portuguese striker converted from the penalty spot just after the half-hour mark in a match that was eventually won by the Paris club 5-4. He added a second in first-half injury time, smashing home a rebound in front of 68,000 fans.

Now, it's time for the main course as Ronaldo prepares for his league debut for Al Nassr, with whom he signed a record two-and-a-half year deal that is said to be worth over $200 million.

Ronaldo makes his Saudi Pro League debut for Al Nassr against Ettifaq on Sunday.

Here is all you need to know about the game.

Fixture

Al Nassr v Ettifaq, Sunday, January 22, 2023, 9.30 pm UAE time (8.30pm Saudi time).

Venue

Mrsool Park, Riyadh.

Who are Al Nassr?

Al Nassr are based in the Saudi capital Riyadh and are one of the country's most well known and decorated teams.

They have won nine Saudi Premier League titles and current top the Saudi league table ahead of Al Shabab on 26 points.

The team is coached by Frenchman Rudi Garcia.

Their main rivals are fellow Riyadh team Al Hilal, with whom Ronaldo's rival Lionel Messi has been linked with a move.

How to watch the match in the UAE?

Saudi Pro League games can be seen on MBC’s streaming platform Shahid. Click here to get more information. Al Nassr also post highlights of their games on their YouTube channel.

What next?

Ronaldo has said that he wants to take on a new challenge in Asia, having achieved tremendous success in Europe with various clubs, mainly at Real Madrid.

"I'm so proud to make this big decision in my life. In Europe, my work is done," Ronaldo said when Al Nassr unveiled him as their new player.

"I won everything, I played in the most important clubs in Europe and now it's a new challenge in Asia."

Al Nassr manager Rudi Garcia believes Ronaldo's signing will be a huge step for the Saudi Pro League, where Al Nassr are second in the standings on 30 points from 13 games, one point behind Al Ittihad who have played a game more.

Watch: Saudi Arabian businessman spend $2.6m on VIP ticket to watch Ronaldo v Messi in Riyadh