Inter Miami has arrived in Saudi Arabia for a preseason exhibition tour and will take on Al Nassr on February 1st. The match, which featured two of the best players of the generation, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, was eagerly awaited globally.
But Al Nassr manager Luis Castro stated that Ronaldo is in the final part of his recuperation and would not play in the club’s friendly against Inter Miami.
After a public fallout with his previous club Manchester United before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Portuguese superstar Ronaldo transferred to the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo decided to join Al Nassr following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he slammed the English club. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner destroyed every bridge with his harsh remarks and was sold out in the next window.
Ronaldo leads the Saudi Pro League goal-scoring positions with 20 goals this season, and his team sits second in the table with 46 points, seven behind leaders Al Hilal.
On the other hand, Messi signed with Inter Miami after spending two years at French champions PSG, where he won the domestic titles twice. Despite their all-star squad, Messi’s team was unable to win the UEFA Champions League. Messi had recently won his record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or trophy, as well as the FIFA Best award, adding to his very impressive collection of silverware and trophies.