Messi’s Inter Miami deny plans of a friendly match against Ronaldo’s Al Nassr

By Tony Kipkorir

Inter Miami CF has refuted the widely spread claims of Lionel Messi and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo taking to the pitch together earlier next year.

Turki Al-Sheikh, a Saudi Sports and Entertainment official had stated on X on Tuesday, November 21 that Inter Miami would battle it out with Ronaldo’s Saudi-based club Al-Nassr in a friendly match in the Riyadh Season Cup in February 2024.

However, several hours later, Messi’s side termed the claims as misleading since it is yet to determine its preseason schedule.

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“Earlier today, an announcement was made stating that Inter Miami CF is scheduled to play in the Riyadh Season Cup. This is inaccurate. The release included statements attributed to team owner Jorge Mas.

Mas has made no comments, publicly or privately, in relation to the preseason tour. Since day one, Inter Miami CF has set out to be a global brand.

To this end, we have been in conversations to determine our 2024 preseason schedule,” part of the communique from the Inter Miami read.

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The club further divulged that it will make public its preseason tour in the coming weeks.

The showdown between the two would have given their millions of supporters around the globe perhaps a final opportunity to debate who is the world’s best footballer.

Ronaldo and Messi have played against each other 36 times, with their maiden meeting coming in 2008 in a UEFA Champions League match pitting Barcelona against Manchester United. So far Messi has triumphed 16 times with Ronaldo registering 11 wins.

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In addition, the two stars have 13 Ballon d’Or titles between them, with Messi coming on top with eight awards, the recent one coming in a colorful ceremony staged in Paris, France in earlier this month.

At 38, Ronaldo who has also previously featured for Spanish giants Real Madrid and Sporting CP has won five.

However, at the international level, Messi has attained more success than Ronaldo, winning the prestigious FIFA World Cup tournament and the Copa America title with Argentina.

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