Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play against Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in a blockbuster-friendly game in February.
The game is being billed as ‘The Last Dance’ in what is likely the final match-up between two of the all-time greats of the sport. At present, no further date is given other than the game being held in February and is part of the Riyadh Season Cup, which also features fellow Saudi team Al Hilal.
Messi, now 36, carved out the bulk of his legacy at Barcelona while Ronaldo, 38, hit similar heights at fierce rivals Real Madrid, after moving from Manchester United in 2009.
The Inter Miami man was targeted by the Saudi league and widely expected to follow Ronaldo there this year before ultimately deciding to join David Beckham’s Major League Soccer team.
Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr in December 2022 following a bitter split from United in his second spell at the club.
The Portugal star is paid around $75million a year on a deal that runs until 2025.
Messi would have earned similar wages in the Saudi league – more than in the United States – but he still earns between $50-60million in Miami on a two-year contract with an option for a third season.
His deal is bankrolled in part by Adidas and Apple, with Messi getting a cut from shirt sales and Apple television subscriptions to watch MLS.
Messi and his team failed to reach the MLS playoffs after a disastrous start to the season but they still won the Leagues Cup and made it to the final of the US Open Cup.
The game will also see Ronaldo face two other Barcelona favourites Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who followed Messi to Miami.
And by the time the game comes around in February, Luis Suarez could be involved as well with the striker heavily linked with a move to the MLS side from Brazilian team Gremio.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr team has ex-Liverpool and Bayern Munich attacker Sadio Mane, as well as former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, Ronaldo’s ex-United teammate Alex Telles and ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.
Al Hilal, the other team in the competition, has Brazil star Neymar but he will not feature due to his torn ACL.
Miami has long been mooted with playing some lucrative overseas friendlies ahead of next year’s MLS season.
