The Riyadh Cup will feature matches between teams from the MLS and the Saudi Pro League. Inter Miami will also face Al-Hilal in that friendly event, but the clash between Messi and Ronaldo is the most anticipated.

Said fixture will take place on February 1 – in what will be Ronaldo’s next outing after a mid-season brеɑk in the Middle East – and could represent a final meeting between two all-time greats that boast 13 Ballons d’Or between them. Messi has posted on social media of that contest: “I can’t wait to be part of #RiyadhSeasonCup with my team Inter Miami CF as we face top Saudi clubs in a historic championship.”

Messi is back in the United States ahead of Inter Miami’s 2024 campaign, with Herons CSO Chris Henderson having said of the club’s targets: “We’re evaluating every department in our front office and performance staff, to support [Tata Martino] and his staff and all the players to make sure we’re performing everywhere in the club. We’re looking at everything to [improve the squad.] We have high hopes for 2024, and we want to show what we can do as a club. Winning trophies and having high ambition is something we’ve had since day one.”