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Ronaldo denied 'Last Dance' with Messi as manager confirms brutal Al Nassr blow

talksport.com, 31 January 2024, 15:13
Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of Al Nassr's Riyadh Season Cup match against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi due to injury.

The Portuguese legend was set to meet his fellow icon in what could be the last time they ever face each other in their careers.

Al Nassr had to cancel their tour of China as a result of a muscle injury that Ronaldo recently picked up.

And he has not recovered in time for Thursday's match against Inter Miami, with his boss Luis Castro confirming the news: "We will not see [Messi vs Ronaldo].

"Ronaldo is in the final part of his recovery to join the group. We hope that in the next few days you can start working with the team. He will be absent from the game."

Ronaldo's most recent meeting with Messi came last January when the latter was still playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

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Both players scored for their respective clubs in what proved to be a highly entertaining 5-4 draw in Saudi Arabia.

Fans saw Ronaldo make his competitive debut for Al Nassr three days later and scored 14 goals in his first season for the club.

He has since improved on that tally and sits on 24 goals for the current campaign, assisting a further 11 in all competitions.

Ronaldo's counterpart Messi is also enjoying similar success at his new club Inter Miami, for whom he signed in July.

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The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored 11 goals in his debut season and helped guide them to victory in the Leagues Cup.

Messi and his teammates are gearing up for the new MLS season with a series of friendly matches across the world.

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The Argentine legend scored in their 4-3 defeat to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal on Monday, with Al Nassr their next opponents.

It could well have been the final time he shares the pitch with Ronaldo, and fans will undoubtedly be disappointed with the latest news.

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