Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't look ready for the new season... yet: Six things we learned as Al-Nassr hold Kylian Mbappe-less PSG in pre-season clash

Ronaldo, in fairness, joined Al-Nassr when the Saudi Pro League season was well underway last season, and although a player of his quality is expected to quite comfortably dominate a lower-calibre division, there was always going to be something of an adjustment period.

Not anymore, though. This time, Ronaldo has no excuses. And in Al-Nassr's latest warm-up, the Portuguese didn't have much of an impact. A lot of the typical Ronaldo things were here. He floated around the box, waiting for the right cross or fortunate nick off a PSG defender. He broke out a few stepovers, chops, and turns — few of which were particularly necessary.

But his impact in front of goal — the thing he is supposed to be on the pitch for — was minimal. PSG certainly did their part defensively, but Ronaldo turned in a poor showing. Even he will need time to find form.

Another game, another start for PSG's immensely promising teenager Warren Zaire-Emery. The academy product caught the eye in PSG's pre-season opener against Le Havre, and he was equally impressive here. Deployed alongside Vitinha, he looked far more comfortable than the 23-year-old, who started 29 games for the Parisians last season.

Al-Nassr have a sneakily good midfield pivot, lining up Marcelo Brozovic and Seko Fofana — an interesting blend of physicality and technique. Zaire-Emery danced around both of them, dictating play and offering an attacking thrust that the Parisians were otherwise missing.

PSG have five midfielders fighting for three spots in Luis Enrique's XI — with potentially more to come. But Zaire-Emery might just get his chance, and if this was to be his trial, it's hard to see what else he could've done to impress the new manager.

Luis Enrique insisted on playing Asensio through the middle during his tenure as Spain manager, despite it yielding minimal results. And he did the same here, asking the winger to function as a sort of false nine for most of the contest.

The results, once again, were mixed. Asensio was full of energy and movement, and linked up well with PSG's wide players. But his instincts in the final third were lacking; this is not a player who likes to ghost into spaces, or win headers. It is, of course, in these times like these when PSG miss Mbappe, or crave a more direct presence off either wing.

Still, Luis Enrique looks likely to push on with this experiment, one that hasn't been working for some time now. It is, likely, not the role that the Spaniard signed up for when he left Real Madrid on a free transfer a few months ago.

Neymar underwent significant ankle surgery less than six months ago, and was always going to need time to work his way back to fitness. And even though he seems to be nearing a return, it appears he isn't quite ready yet.

But he should be back soon. Neymar was pictured in team training this week, and seen smiling from the bench. Still, he never got on the pitch, leaving a bit of uncertainty as to how, exactly, this PSG team will eventually line up. There seems to be a chance that Neymar could operate in a more attacking role, or provide a goal threat in Luis Enrique's side — especially with Mbappe likely gone.

But it seems that Luis Enrique will have to wait a bit longer before he is able to release his Brazilian weapon. He will undoubtedly be an important addition for this languishing PSG side.

But not the one you think...

Much has been made of the Kylian Mbappe saga, with the French star nearing an exit after informing the club that he doesn't plan on signing a new contract. PSG, in turn, have put him on the market, and accepted a massive bid for his services from Al-Hilal on Monday - although Mbappe has insisted he won't sanction the move.

And although he has been left at home, his younger brother, Ethan, got a run out here. The 16-year-old is a different type of player, best used as a central midfielder, and he held his own alongside Manuel Ugarte and Marco Verratti, keeping things simple and winning the ball with regularity.

Mbappe probably won't be a regular for Luis Enrique. It might, in fact, be prudent for the Parisians to send him out on loan. But he was given a chance to impress here, and certainly did his part.

Luis Enrique replaced Asensio with another imperfect option after an hour, turning to youngster Ilyes Housni to play through the middle. An academy product, Housni had a fine goalscoring record in the UEFA Youth League last season, but those instincts didn't translate on Tuesday, as the teenager missed a handful of chances, and failed to set up team-mates on a few occasions.

Hugo Ekitike seemed the other viable option, but Luis Enrique left him on the bench — despite his impressive showing against Le Havre. The whole thing only heightened the need for a goalscorer in Paris. Mbappe is a lost cause by now, and likely won't wear a PSG shirt again, but the Parisians are reportedly still likely to be busy in the transfer market in the coming weeks.

Some names have been tossed around, with Randal Kolo Muani and Victor Osimhen among the favourites. But whoever it is, he can't come soon enough for a toothless PSG side.