Will the last duel between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi take place in February 2024? Saudi Arabia assumes so in an announcement. Inter Miami, however, immediately denied it
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have broken records, fueled their rivalry and shaped an era. The last duel between the two superstars could now take place in the first week of February 2024. The “Riyadh Season Cup” was presented in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with the two idols of an entire generation shown on the announcement poster – under the slogan “The Last Dance”.
In addition to Messi’s parent club Inter Miami, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, perhaps the two most important clubs in Saudi Arabia are also taking part in the competition. This was solemnly announced by Turki Al-Sheikh, owner of La Liga club Almeria and also chairman of the Saudi Arabian “General Entertainment Authority”.
The small tournament, which will be played according to the “everyone against everyone” principle, will take place in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh and its Kingdom Arena. Al-Hilal’s home ground has a capacity of 26,000 fans. The match schedule is to be finalized soon
Second match in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia expects the matches, which will feature “all” the superstars, to appeal to a “global audience”. Jorge Mas, managing owner of Inter Miami, praised “the great development of soccer in Saudi Arabia and the great changes in the Kingdom’s entertainment sector”.
Inter Miami’s participation can also be explained by reasons of preparation: The MLS club, which clearly missed out on the play-offs this season, is at this point in the hot phase of preparation for the new season, which is likely to start in late February or early March.
Inter Miami: “That’s wrong “
It remains to be seen whether this really will be the last clash between Messi and Ronaldo, who met in a friendly at the start of 2023 when the Argentine was still playing for PSG, and whether it will take place at all. Al-Sheikh’s announcement was followed just a few hours later by a denial from the US club: “An announcement was made today that Inter Miami will compete in the Riyadh Season Cup. This is false,” Miami announced in the evening.
“We are still in discussions to determine what our 2024 preparation plan will look like,” said the US side. “We look forward to showcasing our players on Inter Miami’s first international tour. This will be unveiled in the coming weeks,” said the MLS club. So it cannot be completely ruled out that “The Last Dance” will take place after all
