In a highly anticipated friendly match that was dubbed the "Last Dance" between football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Inter Miami, led by Messi, faced a crushing 6-0 defeat against Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the Riyadh Season Cup. Despite the buzz surrounding a potential face-off between the two stars, the match fell short of expectations, as Ronaldo was sidelined due to an injury, and Messi only made a brief appearance as a substitute in the final seven minutes.
From the onset, Al Nassr dominated the game, with Otavio opening the scoring within the first three minutes. The team's momentum continued unabated, with former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte scoring from an impressive distance. Brazilian forward Talisca was the standout performer of the match, securing a hat-trick that propelled Al Nassr to a commanding lead. Mohammed Maran added to the tally with a header, and Talisca rounded off the scoring with his third goal, bringing the total to six.
The absence of Ronaldo, who had been out of action for several weeks due to a calf injury, did little to dampen Al Nassr's spirits. The team's performance raised questions about what the outcome might have been had both Messi and Ronaldo been able to play the full match. The anticipation had been building for the friendly, but Ronaldo's injury and the subsequent cancellation of Al Nassr's tour of China left fans longing for the much-hyped showdown.
Despite the lopsided result, Inter Miami midfielder Julian Gressel expressed a desire for a rematch, citing the different stages of preparation between the two teams. Inter Miami, under manager Tata Martino, is currently in the early phases of their pre-season, whereas Al Nassr is in the thick of their domestic league campaign. Gressel remained optimistic, suggesting that a future meeting, possibly in an official competition like the Club World Cup, would be more indicative of the teams' true capabilities.
The defeat serves as a learning opportunity for Inter Miami, which has had a challenging start to their pre-season, winning only one of their four friendly matches. Gressel emphasized the importance of early game performance and the lessons to be learned from such a significant loss. The team looks to improve as they continue their pre-season tour, with upcoming matches against a Hong Kong Select XI and Japanese club Vissel Kobe, before their Major League Soccer season kicks off on February 21 against Real Salt Lake.
As Inter Miami regroups and sets its sights on the upcoming MLS season, the Riyadh Season Cup match will be remembered not for the clash of titans it was expected to be, but for the stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the lessons teams can draw from every match, friendly or competitive.
