Lionel Messi’s team, Inter Miami, is all set to play two matches in Saudi Arabia early next year. One of the games will be against Cristiano Ronaldo and his club Al-Nassr. The tournament, called the Riyadh Season Cup, is a round-robin competition featuring three teams. This marks the first international tour for Miami, and they will also be visiting El Salvador and Hong Kong. The team will play their first game against Al-Hilal on Jan 29, followed by a match against Al-Nassr at the same venue on Feb 1.
According to Xavier Asensi, Inter Miami’s chief business officer, the upcoming matches between Messi and Ronaldo present a significant chance to forge enduring connections with ardent supporters. Asensi expressed anticipation in reaching out to new fans in Saudi Arabia while also aiming to garner worldwide attention for what promises to be a thrilling pair of dream matches. These two football icons have met over 30 times in their careers and have collectively clinched an impressive 13 Ballon d’Or awards, with Messi currently leading the race with eight accolades to Ronaldo’s five.
After his departure from Paris St Germain, Messi was presented with an opportunity to play in the Saudi league. However, he decided to sign with Miami instead. His contribution to the team led them to victory in the Leagues Cup and caused ticket prices to soar.