Last Dance: Inter Miami vs Al Nassr
This was supposed to be Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's "last dance." The 2022 FIFA World Cup champion came off the bench in the final ten minutes of regulation time, but the Portuguese superstar was ruled out of the match as he continues to heal from the muscle injury he sustained in his left calf last month.
And in spite of Ronaldo's absence—he watched the first half of the match from the fans, joyfully enjoying each goal—Brazilian sensation Talisco was the hero of Al Nassr's 6-0 thumping of the MLS team.
Miami lost possession of the ball while attempting to play out from the back, and Otavio scored the first goal. Once again, the visitor paid a heavy price for giving up control close to its own box as a sliding Talisca turned in Al-second Nassr's goal.
The game's first goal came from Aymeric Laporte, who beat Miami goalie Drake Callender with a long-range free kick from deep in his own half.
Shortly after the break, Mohammed Maran hooked in a header to add to Miami's misery, and Talisca scored his second goal from the penalty spot.With his team down by six goals, Messi walked on for the final seven minutes after Talisca finished his treble.
In the fourth minute of play, Otavio gave Al Nassr the lead. Shortly after, Talisco and Amiye Laporte gave Al Nassr a 3-0 lead.
When the official broadcasters cut to a split-screen of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the 24 minute mark, Messi appeared concerned as he sat on the bench, while Ronaldo was in the VIP box.
It appears that the video was also shown on the stadium's enormous screen, and Ronaldo flashed a somewhat smug smirk when he saw himself. The video quickly went popular on social media.
One of the most lasting rivalries in sports history has been stoked by Messi and Ronaldo since their earliest football days. The competition was sparked by Ronaldo's 2008 Ballon d'Or victory with Manchester United; over the following nine years, the two shared the honour until Croatia's Luka Modric ended the run in 2018.
With Ronaldo's 2009 transfer to Real Madrid, FC Barcelona's bitter rivals, an era characterised by their intense rivalry began.
Even though they have nearly every club honour under the sun, Messi "completed football" when he and Argentina won the 2022 World Cup. The lone prize that Ronaldo still lacks in his collection is the continental championship he earned with Portugal during the 2016 European Championship.
In the second half, Maran scored one goal and the Brazilian scored the other, one from a penalty. In the 83rd minute of the match, Messi did come off the bench, but it had no impact.
The match between Al Nassr and Al-Hilal next week will now determine the Riyadh Season Cup 2024 Winner.
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