Football fans around the world were left disappointed as Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Al-Nassr’s friendly against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami was confirmed.
The much-anticipated clash between the two legendary players was shattered due to Ronaldo’s ongoing recovery from a muscle injury, preventing the reunion of the iconic rivalry.
The disappointment deepened when Al-Nassr canceled their tour of China, citing Ronaldo’s withdrawal from the squad. Manager Luis Castro expressed hopes for Ronaldo’s return to training soon, setting the stage for a potential future encounter with Messi.
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As speculation grew about Messi’s availability, Inter Miami initially excluded the Argentine from the squad announcement. However, a later correction revealed Messi on the bench, providing a glimmer of hope for fans craving the long-awaited face-off. While Ronaldo aims to regain fitness for Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League tie on February 14, Messi and his Inter Miami teammates are gearing up for the start of their MLS campaign on February 22.
The absence of the Ronaldo-Messi showdown adds an element of suspense to future encounters, leaving football enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the next opportunity for these two football titans to cross paths on the pitch.