Inter Miami club board has confirmed that they would be taking part in a pre-season tournament at Riyadh, going by the name of Riyadh Cup as fans would be treated to another classy battle between two of football’s greatest stars- Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Inter Miami will play two games, one against Al-Hilal and the other against Al-Nassr, which will potentially comprise a face-off between the legends.
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo- one last dance?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are considered to be of football’s biggest metronomes to grace the field. Starting from their days at FC Barcelona and Real Madrid to present day scenarios when they play in two different continents, Messi versus Ronaldo debate never seems to get over. One has achieved everything, whereas on the other hand, the other has helped both of them to push each other during their best days. Those were the golden days of football when Lionel Messi and Ronaldo used to play in Spain every weekend, one glorifying the streets of Catalan Capital Barca with his indefatigable wizardry on the field, while the other swooning over the Spanish capital Madrid with his brilliance.
Things started to change during the last few years of last decade, when Ronaldo switched allegiance to play for Italian giants Juventus after leaving Real Madrid, having a stellar career with Los Blancos and creating innumerable records with that shirt. Thus, with that departure, Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry was almost but complete at the Spanish football circuit. But, maybe football fans’ luck and destiny was enough to bring these two together when Messi and Ronaldo clashed at UEFA Champions League fixture when the Portuguese was at Juventus FC, with Ronaldo winning the game.
February 1st. A new chapter in the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry. Can't wait
pic.twitter.com/5H6q1nbVOX
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 11, 2023
Ronaldo joined his boyhood club Manchester United after few seasons with the Italian giants, but suffered from a fall-out with Red Devils manager Erik Ten Hag, thus decided to change the picture of Saudi football with his arrival at one of the richest clubs in Arab, Al-Nassr at January. Following his footsteps, several European football stars joined the Saudi Football clubs, with Al-Hilal signing some big names in the form of Neymar, Mitrovic and Al-Ittihad bringing N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema on deck, among others. As a result, Saudi football clubs are currently housing several of the biggest names in football.
Messi magic in Miami
But, after Messi’s contract was over at PSG, he was eluded to go to Saudi, as he is also the official ambassador of Saudi Tourism, but was banned from the French club board owing to an unauthorized trip to the Middle-eastern country. Thus further led to the end of Messi’s stellar career at PSG, with the Argentine World Cup winner joining hands with former English football legend David Beckham at Inter Miami. In his first season as a Miami player, Messi led his side to a Leagues Cup trophy, which was also the first silverware in club’s history, thus etching his name in the history books.
Adding a stop to our Preseason International Tour
We will play two matches in Saudi Arabia in the Riyadh Season Cup as part of our first-ever international tour!
In a round-robin tournament format, we will take on Saudi powerhouses Al-Hilal SFC and Al Nassr FC on Monday,… pic.twitter.com/Xi9M0QApLi
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 11, 2023
Last night, it was confirmed by Inter Miami club that Messi and Co. would be participating in the Riyadh Cup, after taking part in Riyadh season cup last season, when PSG won against a starry Saudi Pro League all-stars Eleven by the score line of 5-4. Inter Miami sporting director Chris Henderson was heard speaking about these two fixtures, as he said, “These matches will offer important tests for our team, which will benefit us as we approach the new season. We’re excited for our group to get the chance to go up against teams with as much quality as Al-Hilal and Al Nassr.”
Among the legendary face-off between Messi and Ronaldo which is about to take center-stage, they have encountered each other on 35 occasions, both for club and country, with Messi’s side registering 16 victories compared to Ronaldo’s 10, drawing on 9 occasions. Speaking about stats, Messi has 21 goals and 20 assists and Ronaldo has his name on the scoresheet 20 times, managing one solitary assist.
Inter Miami announce they will take part in the Riyadh Season Cup in 2024:
Jan. 29 vs. Al-Hilal
Feb. 1 vs. Al-Nassr
Messi and Ronaldo will meet again
pic.twitter.com/9hFybks628
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 11, 2023
With these announced fixtures, Messi’s brigade has confirmed four pre-season games on total, beginning with El Salvador National Team on 19th January, followed by a match against biggest football stars in Hong Kong in 4th February, as MLS is expected to kick-off during late February.
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo- one last dance?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are considered to be of football’s biggest metronomes to grace the field. Starting from their days at FC Barcelona and Real Madrid to present day scenarios when they play in two different continents, Messi versus Ronaldo debate never seems to get over. One has achieved everything, whereas on the other hand, the other has helped both of them to push each other during their best days. Those were the golden days of football when Lionel Messi and Ronaldo used to play in Spain every weekend, one glorifying the streets of Catalan Capital Barca with his indefatigable wizardry on the field, while the other swooning over the Spanish capital Madrid with his brilliance.
Things started to change during the last few years of last decade, when Ronaldo switched allegiance to play for Italian giants Juventus after leaving Real Madrid, having a stellar career with Los Blancos and creating innumerable records with that shirt. Thus, with that departure, Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry was almost but complete at the Spanish football circuit. But, maybe football fans’ luck and destiny was enough to bring these two together when Messi and Ronaldo clashed at UEFA Champions League fixture when the Portuguese was at Juventus FC, with Ronaldo winning the game.
February 1st. A new chapter in the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry. Can't wait
pic.twitter.com/5H6q1nbVOX— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 11, 2023
Ronaldo joined his boyhood club Manchester United after few seasons with the Italian giants, but suffered from a fall-out with Red Devils manager Erik Ten Hag, thus decided to change the picture of Saudi football with his arrival at one of the richest clubs in Arab, Al-Nassr at January. Following his footsteps, several European football stars joined the Saudi Football clubs, with Al-Hilal signing some big names in the form of Neymar, Mitrovic and Al-Ittihad bringing N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema on deck, among others. As a result, Saudi football clubs are currently housing several of the biggest names in football.
Messi magic in Miami
But, after Messi’s contract was over at PSG, he was eluded to go to Saudi, as he is also the official ambassador of Saudi Tourism, but was banned from the French club board owing to an unauthorized trip to the Middle-eastern country. Thus further led to the end of Messi’s stellar career at PSG, with the Argentine World Cup winner joining hands with former English football legend David Beckham at Inter Miami. In his first season as a Miami player, Messi led his side to a Leagues Cup trophy, which was also the first silverware in club’s history, thus etching his name in the history books.
Adding a stop to our Preseason International Tour
We will play two matches in Saudi Arabia in the Riyadh Season Cup as part of our first-ever international tour!
In a round-robin tournament format, we will take on Saudi powerhouses Al-Hilal SFC and Al Nassr FC on Monday,… pic.twitter.com/Xi9M0QApLi
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 11, 2023
Last night, it was confirmed by Inter Miami club that Messi and Co. would be participating in the Riyadh Cup, after taking part in Riyadh season cup last season, when PSG won against a starry Saudi Pro League all-stars Eleven by the score line of 5-4. Inter Miami sporting director Chris Henderson was heard speaking about these two fixtures, as he said, “These matches will offer important tests for our team, which will benefit us as we approach the new season. We’re excited for our group to get the chance to go up against teams with as much quality as Al-Hilal and Al Nassr.”
Among the legendary face-off between Messi and Ronaldo which is about to take center-stage, they have encountered each other on 35 occasions, both for club and country, with Messi’s side registering 16 victories compared to Ronaldo’s 10, drawing on 9 occasions. Speaking about stats, Messi has 21 goals and 20 assists and Ronaldo has his name on the scoresheet 20 times, managing one solitary assist.
Inter Miami announce they will take part in the Riyadh Season Cup in 2024:
Jan. 29 vs. Al-Hilal Feb. 1 vs. Al-NassrMessi and Ronaldo will meet again
pic.twitter.com/9hFybks628— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 11, 2023
With these announced fixtures, Messi’s brigade has confirmed four pre-season games on total, beginning with El Salvador National Team on 19th January, followed by a match against biggest football stars in Hong Kong in 4th February, as MLS is expected to kick-off during late February.