Saudi Arabia divided as fans choose between Messi and Cristiano

Messi’s Inter Miami side are in Saudi capital Riyadh for two pre-season games and face the Portuguese star’s Al Nassr on Thursday night.

Diego Mayel Ibarradiegoibarra21Paul Reidypaulreidy67Estado UnidosUpdate: Jan 30th, 2024 02:56 EST

FAYEZ NURELDINEAFP

On Monday night, Inter Miami played the first of two friendly matches in Saudi Arabia with Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side falling to Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal (4-3). The MLS side featured Messi and Suárez as part of a forward line and were two goals behind after 12 minutes. Despite rallying in the contest, poor defending was the Miami side’s undoing as thoughts now turn to Thursday night and a meeting against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr side.

Well, we took it easy 🤝🏻It’s FULL-TIME.#AlHilal 💙#RiyadhSeasonCup ✨ pic.twitter.com/RvybsLiCB8

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) January 29, 2024

A packed Kingdom Arena on Monday featured plenty of Argentina national shirts with even a few Messi banners on display but there were also a series of jeers directed at the Inter Miami captain as he touched the ball with Michael celebrating Al Hilal’s third goals with the trademark Cristiano skip, jump and ‘Siiiiiii’ celebration which was warmly applauded by many of the supporters present at the game.

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Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi during the warm upAHMED YOSRIREUTERS

Cristiano vs Messi next Thursday

Ahead of Thursday’s game, there were serious doubts surrounding the fitness levels of the Al-Nassr captain but in the past few days the message coming from the Saudi camp have been more positive and it does appear that the Portuguese striker will play some part in Thursday’s game with many anxious to see what could be the last time the two undisputed icons of the game in recent time share a pitch together.

Inter Miami will also be hoping that the game affords the MLS side the chance to secure the first win of their pre-season activity having now drawn one game and recorded two defeats.

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Inter Miami’s Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates with his Uruguayan forward #09 Luis SuarezFAYEZ NURELDINEAFP