Inter Miami has officially announced its participation in the Riyadh Season Cup this year. Unless another game between the two is scheduled, this could mean the last game between the two greatest football players of all time Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Scheduled for February 1, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, it will be a defining moment for each player’s closing careers.
Introduced by Saudi Arabia last November, the Riyadh Season Cup always held speculation of Inter Miami and their involvement. But less than three weeks later, the club finally announced their intention to participate. Football fans worldwide finally can mark the date for potentially the last meeting between the two GOATs.
Showing the club’s commitment to international games, Inter Miami will have played the El Salvador national team as well as Hong Kong’s top players. The Riyadh Cup adds even more spice to Messi’s journey in life.
Messi versus Ronaldo all started in 2008 with their teams Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. These greats ultimately raised the bar for the term GOAT, and shaped the game for almost a decade and a half. As Messi embarks on his new journey, Ronaldo sets history in his. Both are on their last foreseeable team and the Riyadh Season Cup looks like an important line for the last chapter.
Messi currently leads the head-to-head battle against Ronaldo with a 16-9-11 record, and in goals (22-21) as well. The last time the two have faced was when Messi was still at his previous club Paris-Saint Germain, and of course, Messi won that game as well. Ronaldo has also only played his rival internationally twice, both games being in friendlies.
Junior Ronald Webster says he expects Inter Miami to take the victory over Al Nassr 3-2.
“I do see Al Nassr as a high level club, but as of right now they are too early in their development to seek out international talent and win those big games,” Webster said.
Webster says Messi has been his favorite player for as long as he can remember.
“Ever since his arrival at Barcelona, me and my family almost always watch his games against Ronaldo, so I am very excited to see how this upcoming game will play out,” Webster said.
Senior Finn Railey says he plans on tuning into the big match.
“Like so many other fans, Messi vs Ronaldo will always have a spot in my heart and will miss the day when they are no longer playing,” Railey said.
Ronaldo is his favorite player between the two but not by much.
“I have so much respect for Messi and the challenges he has overcome,” Railey said. “having a shorter height over someone in this sport is something you just have to live with and do extra work to be able to jump higher and do the extra steps. I too struggle with height issues but I work on plyometrics every week so I can compete with other taller folks, and that’s why I have so much respect for Messi’s work ethic.”
