Messi and CR7 see a bizarre gala
Al-Nassr hits from all positions – even from 50 meters
February 1, 2024, 10:12 p.m
Cristiano Ronaldo sits in the stands with a calf injury, Lionel Messi comes on as a late substitute. But even without the two old football superstars, the preparatory game between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami will be a wild spectacle.
Even without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr celebrated a goal festival against Inter Miami with the late substitute soccer world champion Lionel Messi. The 36-year-old Argentine selection captain only came onto the pitch in the 83rd minute of the pre-season game in Riyadh, when the final score of 6-0 (3-0) was already certain for the hosts.
A direct duel between the two eternal rivals, who together had won 13 of the last 15 Ballon d’Ors for the best footballer in the world, did not take place due to Ronaldo’s calf injury. The 39-year-old Portuguese watched the game from the stands.
Four days after the 4-3 win in the first friendly against Al-Hilal, Messi’s Major League Soccer club suffered a major blow. The Argentinean watched from the bench as Otavio (3rd minute), Talisca (10th) and Aymeric Laporte (12th) made things clear early on. The 26-time Spanish international converted a free kick from 50 (!) meters. Ronaldo, as can be seen in a video on X, was completely excited and jumped up from his seat in euphoria. With a converted penalty and the goal to make it 6-0 (51st/73rd), the Brazilian Talisca completed his hat-trick. Mohammed Maran scored the interim 5-0 (68th).
Due to Ronaldo’s injury, Al-Nassr previously canceled its scheduled friendly matches in China on January 24th and 28th. The club said somewhat cryptically that the two games would have to be postponed indefinitely for reasons beyond the club’s control.