Portuguese football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo has openly discussed the challenges he faced in adapting to the extreme heat and different training schedules in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo secured a move to Saudi Pro League in the winter transfer window last season after his fallout with Manchester United. This came after an ugly ending with Manchester United when he publicly criticized the club and manager Erik Ten Hag in an interview with Piers Morgan. The English giants terminated his contract as he decided to leave Europe and joined Al Nassr. 
Cristiano Ronaldo in Al Nassr home jersey. Source: Getty The 38-year-old ended his first season at Al Nassr trophyless but he did shine on a few occasions with his supreme performance on the field. Speaking to LiveScore, Cristiano Ronaldo said that the big difference he found in Saudi is the weather but he has now gotten used to the heat. He said; “The biggest difference I have found in Saudi is obviously the heat and adapting schedules to train later in the day when it is cooler. But I have really gotten used to that now. The fans here have been incredible to me, welcoming me, and those that follow me to continue on this amazing journey. 
Cristiano Ronaldo at an Al Nassr match. Source: Getty “Every league and country is different and I am very proud to have experienced three different leagues in Europe (and won titles in them all).” On the Saudi Pro league getting attention around the world, Ronaldo said; “It hasn’t surprised me but it makes me really happy to see people all across the world now watching the Saudi Pro League. I believe the league will continue to develop and many more players from European leagues will come here to play.” After Ronaldo’s massive move, other Saudi teams have been targeting star players from Europe. Karim Benzema recently joined Al Ittihad while Chelsea’s Ngolo Kante is also expected to play in the Saudi Pro League.
Messi during a training session at PSG. Source: Getty Inter Miami has a long-standing interest in bringing Messi to the United States and making him a face for the sport ahead of the World Cup in three years’ time. They are bottom of the Eastern Conference and have just sacked Phil Neville as manager. Javier Morales is their interim head coach. The Athletic reported that the Argentine legend’s decision to join Inter Miami was partly influenced by commercial partners Apple and adidas. It was reported that the World Cup winner will get a share of the revenue from Apple TV+’s MLS Season Pass, while Adidas has offered him a profit-sharing agreement to strengthen their long-term relationship. 🚨🚨 BREAKING: Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, here we go! The decision has been made and it will be announced by Leo in the next hours #InterMiami 🇺🇸 Messi will play in MLS. No more chances for Barcelona/Al Hilal despite trying to make it happen. 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐎#Messi #MLS pic.twitter.com/OTYWIlEzNc — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 7, 2023 Messi, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain officially expires at the end of June, could debut for Miami in either July or August and would have the unenviable task of lifting a last-place, frequently dysfunctional franchise to the playoffs. Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, has scored 32 goals in 75 appearances in all competitions for French giants PSG, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, following his transfer from boyhood club Barcelona in 2021. 
The match against Ajaccio on Saturday, May 13, saw both teams end up with 10 men after Thomas Mangani aimed a punch at Achraf Hakimi, who retaliated. Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi gave PSG a comfortable lead at half-time and Kylian Mbappe got in on the act with a second-half brace at Parc des Princes. Mohamed Youssouf’s own goal compounded the visitors’ misery before Hakimi and Mangani were red-carded over a fight. Ajaccio’s best chance came in the 67th minute when Mickael Barreto’s right-footed shot from outside the box just sailed over the bar. 
Messi played the full 90 minutes during the match which ended 5-0. The PSG fans loudly jeered when Messi’s name was announced over the tannoy before the match. They also launched another verbal volley toward the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner when he first touched the ball. The Argentine legend appeared subdued throughout the night despite playing his part in another handsome victory. Messi’s name booed and whistled by PSG fans 🎶📢 pic.twitter.com/LM3kONKATG — PENGMAN SPORTS (@PGM_sports) May 13, 2023 Christophe Galtier’s PSG are just four points away from a record 11th French title. They are six points clear of second-placed Lens with three more fixtures remaining. The two-year deal Messi signed with PSG after his shock exit from the Nou Camp back in 2021 is due to expire in the coming weeks, with no new agreement on the horizon. He’s been tipped to follow Cristiano Ronaldo’s lead by moving to the Middle East, with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal firmly in the mix to acquire the sought-after megastar. 
Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has issued an apology to his Paris Saint-Germain teammates after being hit with a brutal suspension over his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this week. Messi was handed a massive fine and a club ban for making an unsanctioned, mid-season trip to Saudi Arabia. His teammates were reported to have been shocked by his trip, particularly after being left reeling to a league defeat to Lorient. 
Though the football legend’s reason for the trip was to fulfill his role as an ambassador for the Middle East nation, he did not seek permission from the club. His action has further soured his relationship with PSG supporters. Fans took part in protests against the forward outside of the club’s Paris headquarters. Messi has now responded to the backlash that trailed the trip by apologizing to the club and his team-mates, saying in a broadcast on social media; “I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always. I had this trip organised and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already canceled it before. I apologise to my team-mates and I’m waiting for what the club wants to do with me.” I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always. I had this trip organized and I couldn’t cancel it as i already canceled it before, I apologize to my teammates and I’m waiting for what the club wants to do with me — Lionel Messi pic.twitter.com/Abx5Oo9L6i — Naija (@Naija_PR) May 5, 2023 He is not expected to feature in the games against Troyes and Ajaccio. 
He tweeted; “Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm. The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport. Messi side, still waiting on official communication.” 🚨 Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm. The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport. Messi side, still waiting on official communication. pic.twitter.com/j223WK2r5Z — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2023 Messi’s PSG contract is set to expire after this season, with widely reported interest from MLS (Inter Miami) and Saudi Arabia (Al Hilal). Barcelona has also explored the possibility of bringing Messi back to Camp Nou following his dramatic departure in the summer of 2021. 
Daily Mail reported that the Ivory Coast international who is nearing the end of his contract at Selhurst Park and who would be available on a free transfer in the summer, is said to have been offered a contract worth a staggering £9million a year offer. Palace, however, are eager to keep Zaha in South London and have offered him the “most lucrative” deal in the club’s history to retain his services. It’s claimed The Eagles brass have tabled a deal in the region of £200,000-a-week contract to the winger. 
It’s unknown if Zaha has rejected the offer on the table, although it’s understood he’s currently focused on helping Palace end the season strongly. Zaha is a top talent on his day and has had a fine career in the Premier League, though he notably struggled in a spell at Manchester United as a youngster. 
Cristiano Ronaldo Junior, the son of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, will be joining Mahd Football Academy in Saudi Arabia following his father’s recent move to Al-Nassr. Recall that 37-year-old Ronaldo recently signed for Saudi side Al-Nassr in a mouth-watering that saw him become the highest-paid sportsman in the World. Before the family’s recent relocation to the Middle East country, Ronaldo Junior spent two years in Juventus’ academy system while his father was playing in Italy. He most recently wore the No. 7 shirt as a prospect with Manchester United and was also featured in Real Madrid’s youth team. 
The youngster who was recently spotted pulling off his father’s iconic ‘siuuu’ celebration after scoring in an Under-12s tournament for the Red Devils, has left United too and will now play at an academy level in Saudi Arabia. 
