The much-anticipated meeting between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in Saudi Arabia has been thwarted by an injury to the Portugal captain, ruling him out of the Al Nassr vs. Inter Miami clash in the Riyadh Season Cup. This game comes just over a year after a combined Al Hilal and Al Nassr team faced Messi’s former club, Paris Saint-Germain, resulting in a 5-4 loss, with both Messi and Ronaldo making significant contributions.

Fans eager to witness the clash between two of the greatest footballers of their generation will have to wait a bit longer for a potential Messi vs. Ronaldo “Last Dance.” The Sporting News provides the latest details on how to watch Messi during his current visit to Saudi Arabia.

 

Messi vs Ronaldo Tickets: How to Buy for Al Nassr vs Inter Miami

In December, Inter Miami announced their trip to Riyadh, with tickets available on WeBook, the platform promoting events for the Riyadh Season. Ticket prices start at 375 Saudi Riyals (approximately $100 as of January 31).

For those seeking a premium experience, VIP tickets, according to seatpick.com, could cost up to $11,214 for a single ticket. Notably, these figures pale in comparison to previous prices when a wealthy fan paid $2.6 million for a ‘Beyond Imagination’ ticket, including the opportunity to meet Ronaldo and Messi, access dressing rooms, and attend the trophy award—all auctioned by the Saudi government’s entertainment arm, with the proceeds going to charity.

 

When is Messi vs Ronaldo Friendly?

The clash between Inter Miami and Al Nassr will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, February 1, at 1 p.m. ET (9 p.m. local time). For viewers in Australia, it’s on Wednesday, February 2, at 5 a.m. AEDT. This match falls within Inter Miami’s preseason preparations for the 2024 campaign and serves as the second game in a two-match series against Saudi clubs.

 

What is the Riyadh Season Cup?

The Riyadh Season Cup is part of the Riyadh Season, a state-sponsored entertainment and sports festival organized by the Saudi government, occurring during the winter months between October and March. The cup, initiated in 2019, is an annual showcase match during the Riyadh Season, featuring prominent teams and players. The event aims to entertain and attract millions of visitors with various activities, including sports events, concerts, and cultural exhibitions.

The 2021/22 season was meant to host a PSG visit for a friendly against Al Hilal/Al Nassr All-Stars, but it was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Last season, PSG visited for the showcase match, delivering the highly anticipated matchup between Messi and Ronaldo.

 

Inter Miami 2024 friendly schedule

Date Kickoff (ET) Match Location
Fri, Jan. 19, 2024 8 p.m. Inter Miami vs. El Salvador Estadio Cuscatlan
(San Salvador, El Salvador)
Mon, Jan. 29, 2024 1 p.m. Al Hilal vs. Inter Miami Kingdom Arena
(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Thu, Feb. 1, 2024 1 p.m. Al Nassr vs. Inter Miami Kingdom Arena
(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Sun, Feb. 4, 2024 3 a.m. Hong Kong All Stars vs. Inter Miami Hong Kong Stadium
(Causeway Bay, Hong Kong)
Wed, Feb. 7, 2024 5 a.m. Vissel Kobe vs. Inter Miami Japan National Stadium
(Tokyo, Japan)
TOPICS: Inter Miami 2024