Fan paid Sh 322 million for VIP ticket to watch a match between Messi and Ronaldo

Great anticipation of a clash between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is understood to have reigned in the build-up to the match between French champions Paris Saint Germain and the Saudi All-Star XI on 19 January in Riyadh.

But the friendly is another example of the growing influence of the Gulf countries in sport - and that goes far beyond the decision to host the friendly in Saudi Arabia.

Since 2011, PSG has been owned by Qatari investors linked to the country's royal family and the infusion of money has helped bring international stars to the club such as Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Ronaldo will face them as part of the Saudi Stars following his decision to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with Saudi club Al-Nasr that is said to earn him more than $200 million.

One fan has paid as much as $2.6 million at auction for a friendly match ticket, highlighting the power of spending that is increasingly shifting influence in world football away from Europe and South America and towards the Middle East.

According to BestSports the Ticket will give them access to the changing rooms and also the opportunity to meet the footballers.

"A soccer fan paid $2.6 million for a celebrity ticket to see Ronaldo and Messi compete in Saudi Arabia today. The ticket will give them access to the changing rooms and also the opportunity to meet the footballers."