It may be just a friendly game, but Paris Saint-Germain’s game against the Riyadh All-Star XI is making more headlines than usual for this kind of fixture. It’s not exactly a surprise, though, since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be facing each other. To watch it in the US, tune in on fuboTV (7-day free trial).
While PSG are expected to show up with a number of their most renowned stars, the Riyadh All Stars will be made up of Al Hilal and Al-Nassr players and coached by Argentine manager Marcelo Gallardo.
Ronaldo, unsurprisingly, will captain the team. However, many wonder why David Ospina, who is now teammates with the Portuguese star, will not be the Riyadh All-Star team goalkeeper.
Why is David Ospina not Riyadh All Star’s keeper vs. PSG
The reason is quite simple, David Ospina is not playing for the Riyadh All Stars against Paris Saint-Germain because he’s undergoing rehab from an elbow surgery. The Colombian keeper got injured on January 15 against Al Shabab and is expected to be out for at least six weeks.
That lengthy recovery, however, could prove costly. According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Al Nassr are considering removing Ospina from their roster in order to free a spot for a foreign player and thereby sign Keylor Navas.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
