The highly anticipated Riyadh Season Cup match between Inter Miami and Al Nassr got off to a disappointing start as both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were absent from the pitch. Ronaldo was ruled out due to a calf injury, a blow to fans who were eager to watch the clash between the two football legends. While the reason for Messi’s absence from the starting lineup was not officially announced, the confusion added to the disappointment surrounding the match.
The game, held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, was supposed to be the final club meeting between Ronaldo and Messi. These two players have undeniably dominated European football for a decade, particularly during their time at Real Madrid and Barcelona. The anticipation for their face-off was high, as they have faced each other 36 times in matches for club and country. Out of these encounters, Messi’s teams have emerged victorious 16 times, while Ronaldo’s teams have won 11 matches, with a draw on the remaining nine occasions.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, could only watch the match from the stands due to his calf injury. It was a disappointing sight for fans who had eagerly awaited his performance on the pitch. The absence of Ronaldo, coupled with Messi starting on the bench, dampened the atmosphere and left supporters yearning for a showdown between the two football giants.
Al Nassr had initially planned to play two fixtures in China before their match against Miami in Riyadh. However, Ronaldo’s calf injury led to the postponement of their tour of the country. The Portuguese star even issued a public apology on January 23 for his role in the delay. This unfortunate turn of events added even more disappointment to the Riyadh Season Cup match, leaving fans and players alike longing for a thrilling encounter that never materialized.
Inter Miami, who had previously suffered a 4-3 defeat against Al Hilal, traveled to Saudi Arabia as part of their preseason tour. The team eagerly looked forward to testing their skills against Al Nassr, but the absence of both Ronaldo and Messi affected the overall excitement surrounding the match. Despite the missed opportunity to witness a clash between these two football legends, Inter Miami is set to embark on further preseason matches, with their next destination being Asia to face a Hong Kong XI on February 4.
The Riyadh Season Cup match between Inter Miami and Al Nassr failed to live up to expectations. With Ronaldo sidelined due to injury and Messi starting on the bench, the absence of these two star attractions left fans feeling let down. While the anticipation for Ronaldo and Messi’s final club meeting was significant, circumstances prevented football fans from witnessing the thrilling encounter they had hoped for.