Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to play Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr in a friendly billed as ‘The Last Dance’ in Saudi Arabia next February
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play a friendly against Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in February.
The game is billed as ‘The Last Dance’ in what is likely the final match between two of the sport’s all-time greats.
Messi built most of his legacy at Barcelona, while Ronaldo reached similar heights at fierce rivals Real Madrid after joining from Manchester United in 2009.
The Inter Miami man was targeted for the Saudi league and was widely expected to follow Ronaldo there before ultimately deciding to join David Beckham’s Major League Soccer team.
Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr in December 2022 after an acrimonious split with United in his second spell at the club.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami play against Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia
The Portuguese star is paid around $75 million per year on a deal that runs until 2025. Messi would have earned a similar wage in the Saudi league – more than in the United States – but he still earns between $50 and $60 million in Miami.
Messi and his team failed to reach the MLS play-offs after a disastrous start to the season, but they still won the Leagues Cup and reached the final of the US Open Cup.
The match will also pit Ronaldo against two other Barcelona favorites: Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who followed Messi to Miami.
And by the time the match rolls around in February, Luis Suarez could also be involved with the striker heavily linked with a move from Brazilian team Gremio to the MLS.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr squad also features former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, ex-United teammate Alex Telles and Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.
Miami has long been touted for playing some lucrative friendlies abroad ahead of next year’s MLS season.
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