Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to meet again after it was confirmed that Inter Miami will face Al Nassr in a friendly in Saudi Arabia in February.
The game, which will take place as part of the Riyadh Season Cup, could be the last time the pair face each other in their playing careers. It is set to happen in the first week of February next year at the Kingdom Arena.
A statement from Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, said: “We look forward to welcoming everyone from Inter Miami in February for the Riyadh Season Cup, which will bring together a number of the biggest international stars from across all three clubs competing.
“The excitement and global interest that we expect this tournament to generate expands upon one of our main aspirations for Riyadh Season – to create international events that visitors to Riyadh and fans around the world can all enjoy.”
The Last Dance
مباراة تاريخية تجمع أساطير كرة القدم رونالدو و ميسينادي انتر ميامي يلعب ضد نادي النصر في بطولة كأس موسم الرياض… ⚽❤️🇸🇦
في المملكة ارينا 📌 Feb 2024
It’s the last dance of football greatness! 🏆
Ronaldo vs Messi clash on the pitch.Watch Inter Miami FC… pic.twitter.com/3aHtVGtFQI
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) November 21, 2023
Messi, 36, played the majority of his career at Barcelona while Ronaldo, 38, competed against the Argentina international during his successful spell at Real Madrid after moving from Manchester United in 2009.
Between 2008 and 2017, it was only Messi or Ronaldo who lifted the men’s Ballon d’Or — the award given to the player who is considered the best in Europe.
Messi last played against Ronaldo when his former side, Paris Saint-Germain, played against the Saudi All-Stars in January this year. Both players scored in the game.
Inter Miami signed Messi in July on a two-and-a-half year deal. He had attracted interest from former side Barcelona and clubs in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo, meanwhile, joined Al Nassr in January after his contract was mutually terminated by United.
GO DEEPER
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(BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
