The big day has arrived, as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in a high-profile friendly clash in Saudi Arabia. Fans have been waiting for this day since the schedule of the fixture was announced, but unfortunately, Ronaldo will not feature in the match, meaning there will be no ‘last dance’ between him and Messi. Fans were eager to see the two GOATs, who have dominated the world of football for 15 years, square off once again, in a new territory but Al-Nassr coach delivered crushing news on the Portuguese forwards’ availability.
“We will not see [Messi vs Ronaldo], Ronaldo is in the final part of his recovery to join the group. We hope that in the next few days, you can start working with the team. He will be absent from the game,” Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro said with a grim on his face.
Earlier, Al-Nassr had to cancel their trip to China over concerns on Ronaldo’s fitness. The veteran forward isn’t someone who is usually on the treatment table but this time, he isn’t fully fit to feature against his arch-rival Messi.
Messi’s Inter Miami have been in Saudi Arabia for a few days now. On Monday, the Argentine’s teammate Luis Suarez bagged his maiden goal for Inter Miami while Messi scored in a 4-3 defeat against Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in Riyadh.
An 88th-minute header from Brazilian forward Malcom settled an entertaining friendly at the Kingdom Arena after Miami fought back to 3-3 from 3-1 down early in the second half.
The game was the latest leg of Miami’s globe-trotting pre-season tour ahead of the start of the Major League Soccer season on February 21.
Former Fulham striker and Serbian international Aleksandar Mitrovic fired Al Hilal head in the 10th minute, coolly side-footing his finish beyond Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender after a well-worked move that split the defence wide open.
Saudi international forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan made it 2-0 after 13 minutes, punishing a botched clearance from Miami defender Noah Allen.
Sergio Busquets should have pulled a goal back for Miami in the 26th minute but volleyed over from close range with just Al Hilal goalkeeper Hbib Alwotayan to beat.
On 34 minutes though Miami’s pressure got its reward. A lofted pass from Jordi Alba over the top caught the Al Hilal defence square, and Julian Gressel latched onto the ball before sliding into the path of Suarez who finished into an empty goal at the far post.
The goal was initially disallowed for offside but a VAR check overturned the offside call and the goal stood.
Al Hilal restored their two-goal advantage a minute before half-time however when Al-Hamdan crossed into the area for Brazilian forward Michael to nod home after Callender rushed off his line.
Miami responded strongly after the break, and drew level with two goals in two minutes soon after the restart.
Messi made it 3-2 from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Mohammed Jahfali was harshly adjudged to have brought down David Ruiz in the area.
Al Hilal were still regrouping from the penalty when Miami levelled. Messi swept a long pass into the path of Ruiz, and the winger cut in from the left and uncorked a ferocious strike that made it 3-3.
The game seemed destined to end in a draw but Malcolm headed home two minutes from time to seal the win.
With AFP inputs
