Eight-time Ballon d’Or Winner Messi returned to action during the start of Inter Miami’s preseason campaign, as the Herons prepare for a ϲrɑϲk at MLS Cup glory in 2024. The Argentine icon has appeared in matches against El Salvador and FC Dallas, with Tata Martino’s side still looking for their first goal of the year.

Inter Miami will now travel to Saudi Arabia to compete in the Riyadh Cup. They will face Al-Hilal on Monday before taking on Al-Nassr on February 1. That match was scheduled to pit Messi against his perennial adversary Ronaldo one final time.

Messi will accompany Inter Miami to the Middle East, along with Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, according to the club’s website. However, Ronaldo has sustained an ιnjᴜry, forcing Al-Nassr to abandon their visit to China. As a result, he is in a race against time to be ready for an eagerly anticipated encounter with Messi and Co.

From Saudi Arabia, Inter Miami will then head to the Far East. A historic international tour for the Florida-based outfit is set to see them take on a Hong Kong Select XI on February 4, before then facing Japanese side Vissel Kobe three days later.