In a major letdown for football enthusiasts, the much-anticipated showdown between football titans Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will not happen, as the Portuguese maestro has been ruled out of Al Nassr’s upcoming bout against Inter Miami on January 31.
Inter Miami and Al Nassr are currently locking horns in the Riyadh Season Cup, with the event being hyped as the potential ‘showdown’ between Messi and Ronaldo. The two football icons had previously crossed paths in an exhibition match between PSG and Riyadh All-Stars just twelve months ago.
Ronaldo’s unfortunate injury, suffered ahead of Al Nassr’s planned tour in China, led to the cancellation of the entire event. The former Real Madrid star expressed his frustration, highlighting the untimely nature of the injury.
Al Nassr manager Luis Castro disclosed that Ronaldo is in the final stages of recovery and is expected to rejoin the squad shortly. Castro remains hopeful that the Portuguese luminary can resume training with the team.
As Lionel Messi and Inter Miami aim for their first victory of the pre-season, they seek redemption following a 4-3 defeat to Al-Hilal in the opening match of the Riyadh Season Cup. Despite goals from Messi and Luis Suarez, Al-Hilal emerged victorious
