Amitabh Bachchan was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday evening when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo competed in an exhibition match between Riyadh Season Team and Paris Saint-Germain. Senior Bachchan participated in the event’s opening, where he shook hands with players from both sides before the match. When shaking hands with Messi, who won the World Cup for Argentina, and Ronaldo, who is a star for Portugal, the renowned actor paused for a little longer. When Bachchan expressed his compliments to the two footballers, they were observed smiling.
Bachchan, an ardent football fan, also shared the video on social media with the caption, “An evening in Riyadh.. “what an evening.. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mbape, and Neymar all playing together.. and yours truly invited guest to inaugurate the game.. PSG vs Riyadh Seasons.. Incredible!!!”
T 4533 – "An evening in Riyadh .. " what an evening ..
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mbape, Neymar all playing together .. and yours truly invited guest to inaugurate the game .. PSG vs Riyadh Seasons ..
Incredible !!!#football #Ronaldo #Messi #AlNassr #SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/fXlaw9meeV— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 20, 2023
Amitabh mentioned his love in football in one of the episodes of his renowned game show KBC. Pele is the iconic actor’s favourite football player, he said. His son Abhishek Bachchan is a stakeholder in two sports clubs — Chennaiyin FC in Indian Super League (ISL) football and the Jaipur Pink Panthers in Pro Kabaddi League. He claimed that he and his son both follow the London side Chelsea FC in the Premier League (PKL).
At the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Messi and Ronaldo both scored as Paris Saint-German defeated Saudi All-Star XI by a score of 5-4.
Messi has been playing with the Parisians since the 2021-22 season, but Ronaldo recently joined Al Nassr after his contract with Manchester United was mutually terminated.
Thursday’s game was the first meeting between the two football powerhouses since 2020 and the 37th time in their respective careers. It may be the final time they meet on the field.
