The much-awaited match between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has been postponed because of the Portuguese international’s ailment.
Ronaldo will not play in Thursday’s Riyadh Season Cup match between Messi and Inter Miami and Al-Nassr.
According to his manager Luis Castro, the 38-year-old is presently addressing a muscle ailment and is not yet prepared to play again for the Saudi Pro League team.
“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,” he stated.
Due to Ronaldo’s injury last week, Al-Nassr’s two-game tour to China had to be cancelled. They were supposed to play Zheijang and Shanghai Shenhua.
“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 while apologising to the fans.
Recall that on Wednesday, Inter Miami lost their first club-friendly match in Saudi Arabia, 4-3, to Al Hilal, a Saudi Pro League team.
In spite of two goals from Messi and Suarez, the former Barcelona striking pair lost 4-3 to the Saudi squad.