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In a disappointing turn of events, football fans around the world will have to wait a little longer for the highly anticipated clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Unfortunately, Ronaldo will be sidelined for the game due to an ongoing muscle injury.
People dubbed the match scheduled between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami in the Riyadh Season Cup as ‘The Last Dance’, potentially marking it as the final showdown between the two legendary players.
Ronaldo’s Injury and Recovery
Ronaldo, currently playing for the Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, has been dealing with a muscle injury that has kept him out of action.
His manager, Luis Castro, confirmed that Ronaldo is in the final stages of his recovery but is not yet ready to rejoin the team.
Castro expressed hope that Ronaldo will be able to start training with the team in the next few days but stated that he will be unavailable for the game against Inter Miami.
“We won’t witness [Messi vs Ronaldo]. Ronaldo is in the final stages of his recovery to rejoin the group. We hope that in the next few days, he can start training with the team. He will be unavailable for the game,” Castro said.
Impact on Al-Nassr’s Schedule
Ronaldo’s injury has already had repercussions on Al-Nassr’s schedule.
Last week, the team had to cancel their two-game tour of China due to Ronaldo’s unavailability.
They were supposed to play against Shanghai Shenhua and Zheijang but had to cancel the matches.
Ronaldo expressed his disappointment over the situation, apologizing to the fans and emphasizing his fondness for China, which he considers his second home.
“As you know, in football some things you cannot control. I have played 22 years in football and I am a player that doesn’t have too many injuries. So I’m really sad because Al-Nassr and myself have come to China to enjoy the tour. I have been coming to China since 2003/2004, so I feel at home here – my second home,” Ronaldo said.
Inter Miami’s Recent Performance
Meanwhile, Inter Miami, the team set to face Al-Nassr, is also dealing with their own challenges.
In their first club-friendly game in Saudi Arabia, they suffered a 4-3 defeat against Al Hilal, a Saudi Pro League club.
Despite the loss, Messi and Suarez’s former Barcelona strike duo managed to score two goals against the Saudi team.
The defeat served as a wake-up call for Inter Miami, highlighting areas they need to work on before their upcoming match against Al-Nassr.
The Last Dance
Football fans worldwide highly anticipated the clash between Ronaldo and Messi in the Riyadh Season Cup.
The two players, often regarded as the greatest of their generation, have had legendary battles on the field throughout their careers.
This match was expected to be a fitting finale to their rivalry before Ronaldo’s potential retirement.
While it’s disappointing that Ronaldo will not be able to participate in the Al-Nassr vs Inter Miami clash, fans can still look forward to future encounters between Ronaldo and Messi.
Both players have left a permanent mark on the world of football and have provided fans with countless memorable moments.
As Ronaldo continues his recovery, football enthusiasts eagerly await his return to the pitch and the next chapter in his storied career.
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