This year’s highly anticipated clash between the two football legends, Messi and Ronaldo, is unfortunately canceled due to Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury. The Riyadh Season Cup match between Al Nassr and Inter Miami is scheduled for Thursday night in Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese star is currently recovering from a muscle injury, and his return to the Saudi Pro League side has been delayed as he undergoes the final stages of rehabilitation.
Manager Luis Castro confirmed that the 2016 Euro Cup winner will not be part of the Riyadh Cup off-season game against Messi, disappointing fans who had eagerly awaited the showdown since its announcement.
“We won’t witness Messi vs Ronaldo. Ronaldo is in the final stages of recovery to rejoin the group. We hope he can start training with the team in the next few days. Unfortunately, he will be unavailable for the upcoming game,” stated Castro.
A recent two-game tour to China was also canceled last month after CR7 suffered an injury setback. Al Nassr was set to play club friendlies against Shanghai Shenhua and Zheijang. The sudden cancellation was a major disappointment for Ronaldo’s dedicated fans in China.
Also Read: Details of Ronaldo’s Injury ahead of Match Against Messi
Ronaldo apologized to the fans for missing the China tour, assuring them that the games have been postponed, not canceled. He expressed his commitment to returning to China, a country where he has played numerous club friendlies since 2003.
Last Time When CR7 and Messi Faced Each Other
The most recent encounter between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in a football match took place on January 19, 2023, during an exhibition friendly between Paris Saint-Germain and a Riyadh All-Stars team comprising players from Al-Hilal and Ronaldo’s new club, Al-Nassr.
Key details from the match include:
Result
Paris Saint-Germain emerged victorious with a 5-4 scoreline.
Goals
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- PSG: Messi (3′), Marquinhos (33′), Ramos (45+4′), Mbappé (60′), Ekitike (78′)
- Riyadh All-Stars: Ronaldo (45+3′ pen, 61′)
Noteworthy moments
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- Ronaldo made his debut in Saudi Arabia after transferring from Manchester United.
- This encounter marked the first meeting between Messi and Ronaldo in over two years.
- Both players found the net, with Ronaldo successfully converting two penalties.
- Despite the defeat, Ronaldo earned credit for being more effective in terms of goal-scoring, leading the All-Stars in this aspect.
It’s crucial to highlight that this match was an exhibition, with stakes not as high as a competitive competition. Nevertheless, it was a highly anticipated event that allowed fans to witness the two legendary players go head-to-head once again.