Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr will face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami within the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
This match marks the primary encounter between the 2 gamers since leaving Europe and is taken into account the ultimate assembly between these two distinctive footballers.
Match preview
Al-Nassr will make their debut within the mini competitors, which additionally consists of their Saudi title rivals Al Hilal.
Al Hilal emerged as 4-3 winners in an exciting match towards Inter Miami on Monday, because of a late purpose from Malcom. This victory offers them a bonus on this mid-season pleasant match.
On February 8, the 2 Saudi golf equipment will face one another, and the results of that match could decide the winner of the match.
At the moment, Al-Nassr is seven factors behind Al Hilal within the Saudi Professional League title race, because the league is at the moment on a winter break.
Nonetheless, Al-Nassr completed 2023 strongly, with 5 consecutive wins and 21 targets scored beneath the steering of coach Luis Castro.
Ronaldo has been instrumental in all 5 victories, scoring a outstanding 20 targets in 18 appearances this season, making him the main scorer within the division.
Alternatively, Inter Miami, led by Messi, enters the sport in poor kind. They solely managed to safe three factors of their remaining six matches of the MLS common season, inflicting them to overlook out on the playoffs.
Regardless of going unbeaten in 11 out of 12 video games following Messi’s debut, Inter Miami completed second to final within the Japanese Convention.
For the reason that finish of their league season, Inter Miami has struggled to carry out effectively. Pleasant matches towards FC Dallas and New York Metropolis FC resulted in defeat. Even a robust beginning XI may solely handle a 0-0 draw towards El Salvador earlier than shedding 4-3 to Al Hilal earlier this week.
This match concludes Inter Miami’s quick Riyadh Season Cup marketing campaign earlier than they journey to jap Asia to face Hong Kong All-Stars and Vissel Kobe.
They may then return dwelling to play Messi’s boyhood membership, Newell’s Outdated Boys, forward of the upcoming MLS marketing campaign, all inside 11 days.
Al-Nassr kind (all competitions): L, D, W, W, W, W
Inter Miami pleasant kind: L, D, L, L
Inter Miami kind (all competitions): D, L, L, D, L, L
Workforce Information
The star sights of the match will undoubtedly be Ronaldo and Messi, each anticipated to play the total 90 minutes.
Nonetheless, Al-Nassr shall be with out Sadio Mane, who is not going to return in time from the Africa Cup of Nations. Seko Fofana’s Ivory Coast progressed to the quarter-finals, holding midfielder Fofana within the competitors, whereas many Saudi gamers are taking part within the Asian Cup.
Regardless of these absences, Al-Nassr nonetheless boasts a proficient squad, with Aymeric Laporte and Alex Telles in protection, Marcelo Brozovic in midfield, and Anderson Talisca and Otavio supporting Ronaldo in assault.
Inter Miami, however, has seen their latest friendlies marked by the presence of Luis Suarez, who joined his former Barcelona teammate Messi after transferring from Gremio. Suarez scored towards Al Hilal on Monday.
Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, additionally former Barcelona gamers, have adopted their ex-teammates to MLS and are prone to begin.
Al-Nassr potential beginning lineup:
Al Aqidi;
S Al Ghannam, Al Amri, Laporte, Alex Telles;
Brozovic, Al Sulaiheem;
Anderson Talisca, Okay Al Ghannam, Otavio;
Ronaldo
Inter Miami potential beginning lineup:
Callender;
Yedlin, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Allen, Jordi Alba;
Gressel, Busquets, Ruiz;
Messi, Suarez
Prediction: Al-Nassr 3-2 Inter Miami
Based mostly on the thrilling conflict between Inter Miami and Al Hilal, we are able to anticipate one other entertaining recreation. With a big crowd wanting to witness the brilliance of Ronaldo and Messi, each gamers will play pivotal roles for his or her respective groups.
Nonetheless, with dwelling assist, Al-Nassr could come out on prime towards an out-of-form Inter Miami.
