In a twist of events, Inter Miami has officially confirmed its participation in the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia, despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise. The announcement was made on Monday, setting the stage for an anticipated showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Saudi officials had initially declared the Riyadh Season Cup on November 21, a statement Inter Miami refuted at that time. However, the club has now confirmed its involvement and will face off against Al-Hilal on January 29 and Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s team, on February 1. These matches hold significant value as both Al-Hilal and Al Nassr currently lead the Saudi Pro League, with Ronaldo emerging as the league’s top scorer.
Inter Miami's Sporting Director, Chris Henderson, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming challenges, highlighting the matches against teams of such caliber as Al-Hilal and Al Nassr as vital tests for their squad in preparation for the upcoming season.
The clash between Messi and Ronaldo, arguably two of the greatest footballers in history, has generated tremendous excitement. According to Inter Miami, the two icons have faced off 35 times across club and national team fixtures. Messi's teams have claimed victory in 16 encounters, while Ronaldo's teams have won 10, with the remaining matches ending in draws. Messi has tallied 21 goals and 12 assists in these matchups, while Ronaldo boasts 20 goals and one assist.
Messi has previously endorsed tourism in Saudi Arabia but faced controversy during his time at Paris Saint-Germain when he made an unauthorized visit to the country. Notably, he participated in this year's Riyadh Season Cup when PSG served as the guest team.
Saudi Arabia's concerted efforts to establish a foothold in global football by attracting high-profile players have been observed amidst scrutiny for sportswashing allegations. Although the kingdom couldn't secure Messi's presence after his departure from PSG, the legendary footballer chose Major League Soccer (MLS) over a move to the oil-rich nation.
Inter Miami's preseason now comprises four matches, including clashes against the El Salvador national team on January 19 and a top player selection in Hong Kong on February 4. The MLS season is slated to commence in late February, following their rigorous preseason preparations.
