Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to face off one last time in a special tournament in Saudi Arabia.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The announcement came on Tuesday morning, one day after Inter Miami Sporting Director Chris Henderson said that the club was undergoing preseason preparation for 2024, including a potential friendly against Messi’s childhood club Newell’s Old Boys. Now, there’s official word on what the Herons’ preseason will entail, and it’s a final chance for Messi and Ronaldo to go head-to-head on the pitch. Al-Nassr will host the Argentine’s side as well as fellow Saudi team Al-Hilal, who feature Brazilian star Neymar. However, he will not participate due to injury. The Riyadh Season Cup will kick off during the first week of February.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi and Ronaldo have clashed a total of 36 times over their storied careers, with their first meeting coming in 2008. Match 37 is being dubbed as ‘The Last Dance’ with two of the greatest footballers to ever grace the pitch lining up against each other one last time. Messi leads the way between the two with 16 wins to Ronaldo’s 11.
WHAT THE PRESS RELEASE SAID
“H.E Turki Alalshikh welcomed the participation of Inter Miami CF, noting that the tournament will have a global following due to the prominent international football stars who play for the three clubs. He stressed that the league is an extension of the major international events that Riyadh Season presents to visitors and to the world. For his part, Mr. Jorge Mas welcomed the participation of Inter Miami CF in Riyadh Season, praising the great development witnessed in the field of football in Saudi Arabia, in addition to the great transformations witnessed in the entertainment sector in the Kingdom.”
