Lionel Messi has announced that he will face off against his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, in what could be their final showdown on January 29, 2024, as part of the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia. Messi made the announcement on Instagram, confirming that his team, Inter Miami, will participate in this prestigious event. The Argentine football legend expressed his excitement, stating that he was looking forward to representing his team in the historic championship. This event, which runs from January 29 to February 2, will see top Saudi clubs compete in various sports, with soccer being a key highlight.
The Riyadh Season Cup is part of a broader event called the Riyadh Season, which was launched in 2019 and includes a variety of sports, including soccer and boxing. Tyson Fury’s crossover boxing match against Francis Ngannou was one of the season’s major events in October. The Riyadh Season Cup provides a platform for top football clubs from around the region to showcase their talent, and this year’s edition will be notable due to the participation of two of the sport’s greatest players, Messi and Ronaldo.
Messi and Ronaldo’s meeting in Saudi Arabia will be significant, as it could be the final time their fans witness these two legends play against each other. Both players have had illustrious careers, with Messi winning a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, while Ronaldo has built his legacy as one of the most decorated players in history. This particular match will be a part of the larger Riyadh Season Cup, where Inter Miami, Messi’s current club, and Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are both involved. This match has been dubbed their “Last Dance,” evoking memories of their intense rivalry in La Liga when Messi played for FC Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
Although fans are excited about this potential final clash, both Messi and Ronaldo’s former teams, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, will not be directly involved in the Riyadh Season Cup. These teams could meet in the final of the Spanish Super Cup if they manage to defeat Atletico Madrid and Osasuna in the semifinals. However, despite not participating in this specific event, Messi and Ronaldo’s presence in Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly be the highlight for many football enthusiasts, who have followed their rivalry closely over the years.
The matchup in Saudi Arabia might have been a more frequent occurrence if Messi had accepted an offer from Al-Hilal, a Saudi club when he was nearing free agency after his time at Paris Saint-Germain. Instead, Messi chose to reject the substantial offer and join Inter Miami, a decision that led to this rare opportunity for fans to see him face off against Ronaldo in Riyadh. This could very well be the last time the two football icons share the pitch, marking a historic moment for the sport and its generations of fans.
