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Inter Miami on Monday confirmed details of two upcoming friendlies in Saudi Arabia next year which will include a showdown between Lionel Messi and old rival Cristiano Ronaldo. The Major League Soccer club had already announced plans for the team to face Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr in Riyadh, without confirming a date. Inter said on Monday the team would take on Saudi powerhouses Al Hilal at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on January 29.
They will then face Al Nassr at the same venue on February 1, giving Messi the chance to lock horns once again with Ronaldo in the latest installment of a rivalry that has spanned decades stretching back to their first meeting in 2008.
“These matches will offer important tests for our team, which will benefit us as we approach the new season,” said Chris Henderson, Miami’s chief soccer officer and sporting director.
Miami will travel to Hong Kong following the Saudi Arabia games to play a team made up from the Chinese territory’s First Division on February 4.
The team will then head back to the US for the start of the MLS season later in February.
The two footballing icons last crossed paths during a friendly match between Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian League All Stars and Messi’s former club Paris Sain-Germain earlier this year. The French champions won the game 5-4, with Ronaldo scoring a brace.
Ronaldo on Monday scored his 50th goal of 2023 during Al Nassr’s 5-2 Saudi King Cup victory over rivals Al Shabab.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward lashed home from close range with his right foot in the 74th minute.
“Great victory and I’m thrilled to announce my 50th goal in 2023,” the 38-year-old Portuguese wrote on Instagram after his goal helped Al Nassr reach the semi-finals on Monday in Riyadh.
“All thanks to the unwavering support of my teammates, fans, and my family! There’s still room for a few more this year.”
The skipper averages nearly a goal a game since joining Al Nassr at the end of last year.
He has also struck 10 times for Portugal in nine matches in 2023.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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