Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will likely come up against each other after Inter Miami confirmed two pre-season games for the 2024 season.
In an official statement, Inter Miami confirmed two pre-season games. The MLS outfit will take on Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in the Riyadh Season Cup ahead of the 2024 season. The second game, in particular, will excite fans the world over as it will pit eternal rivals, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, against each other.
What Happened in the 2023 Season?
The 2023 Major League Soccer season is over, with Columbus Crew winning the MLS Cup and FC Cincinatti lifting the Supporters’ Shield. Inter Miami had been nowhere to be seen in the Eastern Conference, with Lionel Messi’s arrival not helping them much either.
While Messi changed the dynamics after his arrival and helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup, the honours in the top flight eluded the David Beckham-co-owned club. Nonetheless, the future seems bright for Inter Miami, considering the impact Messi and his former Barcelona teammates — Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba — had on the team.
The attention now turns to the 2024 campaign, with the regular season likely kicking off in February. Before then, Inter Miami and the other clubs will be eager to get their preparations in order with their pre-season games. And the Herons have announced two of their pre-season fixtures.
Inter Miami in the 2024 Pre-Season: Messi vs Ronaldo on the Cards?
Inter Miami will take part in the Riyadh Season Cup in 2024, taking on Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr next year. The first game will kick off at the Kingdom Arena on January 29 at 1 pm ET (9pm Saudi Arabia Standard Time). But it is the second match that will entice fans around the world, with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo likely facing off in it.
Inter Milan will lock horns with Al-Nassr on February 1 at the Kingdom Arena. This match will also have the same timings as the one against Al-Hilal. As iterated earlier, Messi and Ronaldo will face off for the first time in years.
Messi and Ronaldo have faced each other 35 times in their respective careers, with Messi’s team claiming 16 wins to 10 by Ronaldo’s. The other nine games have ended in a draw. In those meetings, Messi has amassed 21 goals and 12 assists, while Ronaldo has raked in 20 goals and one assist. They will hope to add to their tallies when they clash on February 1.
