Inter Miami Shatters Messi vs Ronaldo Hopes: Denies Planned Friendly Match Against Al Nassr

Add as a preferred source on Google

Inter Miami has refuted claims that it has agreed to participate in matches in Saudi Arabia in February, contradicting an earlier announcement by a promoter.

The promoter had stated that the Major League Soccer (MLS) team, featuring Lionel Messi, would play against two Saudi clubs, including Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr and Al-Hilal, in the Riyadh Season Cup. However, Inter Miami swiftly denied any confirmation of pre-season tour plans.

In an official statement, Inter Miami clarified, "Earlier today, an announcement was issued stating that Inter Miami CF is scheduled to play in the Riyadh Season Cup. This is inaccurate." The club emphasized that owner Jorge Mas had not made any comments, publicly or privately, regarding the alleged pre-season tour.

The anticipation of a high-profile matchup between Messi and Ronaldo in a rematch had garnered attention, but Inter Miami dismissed these claims as untrue. The club acknowledged its global ambitions, stating, "Since day one, Inter Miami has set out to be a global brand. To this end, we have been in conversations to determine our 2024 pre-season schedule." They expressed eagerness to reveal details about the team's first international tour in the coming weeks.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, joined Inter Miami in July, contributing to the team's success in the Leagues Cup against US and Mexican clubs. However, the club recently canceled a planned trip to China due to unforeseen circumstances.

Inter Miami emphasized its commitment to becoming a global brand and underlined ongoing discussions about the 2024 pre-season schedule. The statement clarified that the Riyadh Season Cup announcement was inaccurate, quashing the excitement around a Messi-Ronaldo showdown.

Messi, aged 36, led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup. Notably, Ronaldo made his debut in Saudi Arabia in January, playing for Al Nassr in a Riyadh All-Star XI that narrowly lost 5-4 to a Paris Saint-Germain side featuring Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Sergio Ramos.

Inter Miami looks forward to unveiling details of its genuine international tour in the coming weeks, reinforcing its commitment to showcasing players on a global stage.