Cristiano Ronaldo won't face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the Al-Nassr match.

In a highly anticipated friendly match in Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami faced off against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, marking a significant event for football enthusiasts. However, the long-awaited encounter between the two football legends did not materialize, as Ronaldo was sidelined due to the final stages of his recovery, disappointing fans hoping for a memorable showdown.

Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro conveyed the unfortunate news, stating that Ronaldo's absence from the game was inevitable as he continued his recovery, with hopes of rejoining the team in the coming days. This setback follows Al-Nassr's earlier cancellation of their trip to China, citing concerns about Ronaldo's fitness, emphasizing the atypical nature of his current situation.

Messi's Inter Miami had been in Saudi Arabia for a few days before the match, with Messi and teammate Luis Suarez making notable contributions in a 4-3 defeat against Al Hilal. Despite the defeat, Suarez scored his debut goal for Inter Miami, and Messi found the net, showcasing their prowess on the field.

The friendly encounter featured an entertaining back-and-forth, with Brazilian forward Malcom securing a late 88th-minute header to seal a 4-3 victory for Al Hilal. The game was part of Inter Miami's pre-season tour, emphasizing their global preparations ahead of the Major League Soccer season kick-off on February 21.

The match witnessed various twists, including Al Hilal's early lead with goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Abdullah Al-Hamdan. Despite Al Hilal restoring a two-goal advantage before halftime, Inter Miami staged a comeback in the second half. Messi converted a penalty, and David Ruiz leveled the score with a fierce strike, setting the stage for Malcom's late winner.

The overall narrative captured the excitement, drama, and unpredictability of football, showcasing the resilience and skill of both teams in a thrilling prelude to the upcoming season.