Club friendlies are usually not that attractive in world soccer, but itâs safe to say the game between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami could have been the exception for only one reason: the possibility of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo face Lionel Messi one last time. Unfortunately, neither the Portuguese striker nor the Argentine star will start in this game.
The match, which will take place today at 1 PM (ET), will be part of the Riyadh Season Cup. The MLS side has already begun its participation in this friendly tournament, losing 3-4 to Al-Hilal in an extremely entertaining match at Kingdom Arena.
That stadium will now host what was expected to be a highly anticipated match between Ronaldo and Messi, but it wonât be the case. For years, these stars have taken center stage while shining in Europe, so itâs not a surprise to see so many fans disappointed that theyâre not seeing them face off once again.
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not playing against Messiâs Inter Miami?
Cristiano Ronaldoâs presence has been put into question due to an injury that already forced Al-Nassr to postpone two friendlies in China last week. On Wednesday, Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro raised even more doubts around the Portuguese starâs availability. While he didnât rule Ronaldo out, Castro predicted that he wouldnât make it on time. Eventually, the calf injury picked up during the Saudi Pro Leagueâs midseason break ended up ruling Ronaldo out of the Inter Miami friendly as well.
Cristiano Ronaldo warms up prior to an Al-Nassr game.
see also
How to watch Cristiano Ronaldo"s Al-Nassr vs Lionel Messi"s Inter Miami in the US: TV Channel and Live Streaming on February 1, 2024
Al-Nassrâs starting lineup: Ospina, Sultan, Alamri, Laporte, Telles, Alsulaihem, Otavio, Brozovic, Talisca, Alalewa, Marran.
Why is Lionel Messi not playing against Ronaldoâs Al-Nassr?
Unlike Ronaldo, there were no concerns around Lionel Messiâs fitness for this match. Until Thursday. It turns out that the Argentine star, who was initially expected to play against Al-Nassr from the get-go, picked up a hamstring injury.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami FC looks on prior a friendly match between El Salvador and Inter Miami at Cuscatlan Stadium on January 19, 2024 in San Salvador, El Salvador.
According to Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald, Messi âfelt discomfortâ after the match against Al-Hilal, had MRI and is being held out as precaution. But unlike Ronaldo, Messi will be on the bench.
Inter Miamiâs lineup: Callender, Gressel, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Allen, Alba, Gregore, Busquets, Ruiz, Suarez, Campana.
