Messi is eager to compete with Ronaldo

On social media, Lionel Messi expressed his anticipation for the opportunity to compete with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Riyadh Cup friendly on February 1.

"I can't wait to participate in the Riyadh Cup with Inter Miami. We will face the best clubs in Saudi Arabia," Messi wrote on Instagram in English and Spanish.

The Riyadh Cup is a friendly tournament between three teams, including two Saudi Arabian host clubs - Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Inter Miami. The American team will play Al Hilal on January 29 and Al Nassr - Cristiano Ronaldo's team - on February 1. Both matches will be played at Kingdom Stadium in Riyadh.

For many fans, the upcoming Inter Miami-Al Nassr match could be the last time they see Messi and Ronaldo face off, as they are now entering the twilight of their careers. While Messi only returned to training with Inter Miami earlier this week, Ronaldo is enjoying the mid-season break in the Saudi Pro League, where Al Nassr are second, seven points behind Al Hilah.

Messi and Ronaldo during the friendly match between PSG and the Riyadh All-Stars team at King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 19, 2023. Photo: AFP — Messi and Ronaldo during the friendly match between PSG and the Riyadh All-Stars team at King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 19, 2023. Photo: *AFP*

After moving to Inter Miami in July 2023, Messi immediately helped the club win its first title, the Leagues Cup, and reach the final of the American Cup. As a result, he was voted Inter Miami's Player of the Season, and finished second in the MLS Rookie of the Year vote.

The 2024 MLS season is scheduled to begin at the end of February. After the tour in Riyadh, Inter Miami will fly to Hong Kong for a tour before returning to the United States. Sporting Director Chris Henderson said that these friendlies will help Inter Miami better prepare for the new season.

Including friendlies, Messi and Ronaldo have played 37 matches, with Messi's team winning 17, drawing 9 and losing 11. In these matches, both players have scored 23 goals. But if we only count the two main arenas, La Liga and the Champions League, the Argentine superstar has scored 15 goals, four more than the Portuguese captain.

The last time the two superstars met was also a friendly, when Messi and PSG met the Riyadh all-star team with Ronaldo in January 2023. The 38-year-old striker scored twice in this match, but his team still lost 4-5 to PSG.

Riyadh Cup is part of Riyadh Season, a sports and entertainment festival launched in 2019, taking place from October to March next year. The Spanish and Italian Super Cups will also be brought to Riyadh in January 2024.

Duy Doan (according to Goal )

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