Photos of Messi and Inter Miami’s arrival in Saudi Arabia and the upcoming duel with Cristiano Ronaldo

He InterMiami continues with the tuning for the new season. That’s why with Lionel Messi and his former Barcelona teammates in the lead, they flew straight towards Saudi Arabia to start a long itinerary and play a series of friendlies against Asian teams, including a “The Last Dance” between Leo and Cristiano Ronaldofigure of Al Nassr.

After facing the El Salvador national team (0-0) and losing against Dallas (0-1), those led by Gerardo Nanny Martino will try to get his first victory of the year. To do so, this Thursday They flew 12,000 kilometers from Florida to RiyadhSaudi capital, where they arrived around midnight.

Out of curiosity and to measure the duration of the flight, The players had to celebrate a birthday in the air, none other than that of Luis Suárez. El Pistolero celebrated his 37th birthday on the plane when his companions unexpectedly brought him a cake so he could blow out the candles.

Once they landed in Arabia, the team was welcomed in a curious way, but respecting the traditions respected in the Middle East: several hosts arrived at the airport to accompany the Miami delegation to the hotel. However, first They gave each team member a bouquet of pink and white flowersin keeping with the colors displayed on the club’s shield.

According to the videos, tiredness was what prevailed in each of the players. However, the hosts continued with their gifts: Sandwiches and hot drinks were offered, although none of the players decided to try them.. And in case something is missing, The presence of a saxophonist is also welcome that their music played as the team left the airport.

Thus begins, curiously, Inter Miami’s Asian tour. As for football, The first stop will be Al-Hilal, Neymar’s team, first in the Arab League.who they will face on Monday 29th. Likewise, the Brazilian champion will have to watch the match from the stands and will not be able to share the pitch with Leo, Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba because he is still recovering from a knee injury.

After that appointment, it will be the turn of a new edition, and perhaps the last, of the duel that marked an era: Messi against CR7. Miami will face the Portuguese champion’s Al-Nassr on Thursday 1 February, in what will be the American team’s last match in Saudi Arabia. Even if the trips to Asia will continue: the Aironi have decided to play two more matches on that side of the globe.

The first will be in Hong Kong, on February 4th, that’s why those led by Martino They will have to fly another 6,000 kilometers face a team of local stars.

Then on Wednesday the 7th, it will be time for the last duel before returning to North America. Because of this, Inter Miami has to travel to Tokyo, where they will face Vissel Kobe.

Once the four Asian duels are finished, it will be time to return home. Leo will fly another 11 thousand kilometers to land again in Floridawhere there will still be time for the last pre-season match.

After traveling almost 32 thousand kilometers in a week, Messi will play one of the most special duels of his career: he will face Newell’s for the first time. The match will be played at DRV PNK Stadium on February 15.

In this way, with seven preseason games under their belt, Inter Miami will conclude their challenging setup and begin to submit to the official touch of the MLS. They will do it six days after the duel against La Lepra, when they will host Real Salt Lake and Las Garzas’ dream of becoming a serious candidate for winning the first championship in its history will begin.