Messi’s Inter Miami Routed 6–0 by Al-nassr in a Friendly as Ronaldo Watches From Stands

Messi’s Inter Miami Routed 6–0 by Al-nassr in a Friendly as Ronaldo Watches From Stands
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Riyadh Season Cup soccer match between Inter Miami and Al Nassr in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 1, 2024. Amr Nabil/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—What was billed as a potential final meeting between longtime rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t materialize, but there was no doubt which of the superstars enjoyed Al-Nassr’s 6–0 rout of Inter Miami more on Thursday.

Messi spent all but the final seven minutes on the Miami bench looking increasingly glum as Al-Nassr, cheered on by an appreciative Ronaldo sitting high in the Kingdom Arena stands recovering from a calf injury, ran riot in this friendly and scored three goals in the first 12 minutes.