Unfortunately, the news of the absence of the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo from the much-anticipated “Last Dance” match against the legend Lionel Messi has disappointed football fans.
The Saudi team Al-Nassr will face the American team Inter Miami in the Riyadh Season Cup on Thursday at the Kingdom Arena, with Ronaldo confirmed to miss the friendly match due to a recent muscle injury. Al-Nassr coach, Luis Castro, stated on Wednesday that Ronaldo will not play in the match as he was not fit enough to train with the team and can only participate in individual training.
The match scheduled for Thursday is being dubbed as the “Last Dance,” as it may mark the final encounter between Ronaldo and Messi, as both players near the ends of their illustrious football careers. The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has seen them face each other 36 times in various competitions since 2008 when Messi was 20 years old and playing for Barcelona, while Ronaldo was 23 years old and with Manchester United.
In their 36 encounters, Messi has the edge with 16 wins, 11 losses, and 9 draws. Messi has scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in those matches, while Ronaldo has scored 21 goals and provided 1 assist. The last friendly match between Messi and Ronaldo was between Paris Saint-Germain and Al-Nassr in January 2023, and their last competitive encounter was in the group stage of the 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League, where Ronaldo scored two goals in Juventus’ 3-0 victory over Barcelona.
Messi and Ronaldo are among the most decorated players in the history of sports, both in terms of individual and collective achievements. Ronaldo’s absence from the “Last Dance” match will undoubtedly be a disappointment for fans eagerly anticipating this iconic clash of football legends.
