Ticket prices for football matches are also entering new dimensions in Saudi Arabia: a VIP ticket for a duel between football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has been auctioned for almost 2.5 million euros. It is the second report from the Arabian Peninsula that seems unreal to the common football fan, after Ronaldo's record annual salary of an estimated 200 million euros, which he receives from his new employer, the Saudi club Al-Nassr FC.

Saudi real estate magnate Mushref al-Ghamdi was now willing to pay the extraordinarily large sum for the ticket. Al-Ghamdi will enjoy some special privileges when he attends the superstars match in Riyadh. Among other things, he can take photos with Ronaldo and Messi and has access to the changing rooms. It was not announced when he was allowed to go into the cabin. The businessman is probably allowed to look at the empty changing room with the jerseys, shorts, socks and football boots on display before the players appear.

The design of the stadium visit sounds like an ordinary meet

Ronaldo is considered the figurehead for the project. He should set the mood for the application. Messi is already engaged as an ambassador to boost tourism in the country. Now follows the game of the two aging superstars. The Argentinian world champion travels with his team, Paris Saint-Germain (owned by Qatar), and meets a selection from the two capital clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal in Riyadh. Thursday's game marks the Portuguese's debut in his new footballing homeland.

Of course, the 2.5 million euros from the ticket auction will not go into the pockets of rich sheikhs, but should flow into a national aid campaign. The good end justifies the means.

Source: DPA