How Messi’s agenda continues in Saudi Arabia: Inter Miami does not find its best version as the duel with Cristiano Ronaldo approaches

He InterMiami can’t put itself first in 2024. Although Lionel Messi He is more and more active as the matches go by, his team has not yet managed to win any of the three matches played in the pre-season. And after the recent defeat against Al Hilal 4-3 in the first of the tour to Saudi Arabia, the moment has come for the duel most awaited by the fans, especially the most nostalgic: the possible “The Last Dance” against Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al Nassr.

Next February 1st at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh will dress up to host what could be the last edition of Messi’s historic match against CR7, that match that marked an era. And beyond the fact that it is a friendly duel, Leo will try to straighten out the weak course with which those who are led by Gerard Nanny Martin They started the year (one draw and two losses). While, faithful to his style, Ronaldo will try to become stronger by playing at home.

It will be there 38th duel between the two most outstanding players of the century. A long history in which both managed to stand out equally, with 23 goals in their favor. However, Leo managed to win 17 times, compared to Ronaldo’s 11 wins and nine draws.

The last time they saw each other was also in a friendly duel. It happened in January 2023, when Paris Saint Germain beat Al Nassr 5-4, managed exclusively by Marcelo Gallardo.

For Leo the match presents itself as the right moment to quench the thirst for victory that he has not yet managed to quench in 2024. So much so that this Monday’s defeat against Al Hilal does not seem to have gone well at all given the competitiveness that characterizes the Rosary.

This was demonstrated in a awkward moment when a reporter tried to ask him a question as he entered the locker room tunnel. That’s when the cameras managed to capture a “10” who wasn’t happy with the situation. To the point that the man from Rosario did not stop before the journalist’s interrogation, who in his eagerness to get a word out of the star, had to be intercepted by the bodyguard that the star has had since his arrival at Inter Miami.

Even during the match we could see Leo’s curious attitude. The fact is that when his teammate Luis Suárez scored the discount to make it 1-2, the linesman raised his flag and disallowed the goal due to an alleged advanced position of the Uruguayan.

Given the sanction, Messi immediately went to protest to Edina Batista, the match referee, to ask her a question. “Is there VAR?“He annoyingly consulted twice, with the intention of reviewing the game. In the end, the Uruguayan striker’s goal was ratified at the request of the technology.

Despite three matches played this year, there is still a long way to go for Las Garzas to complete its set before its official MLS debut when it hosts Real Salt Lake on February 21.

After the match against Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, the tour of Saudi Arabia will end for the Florida players, even if they still have two matches to play in other regions of the Middle East. The first one will enter Hong Kong, February 4 where Martino’s men will face a team of local stars.

Then on Wednesday the 7th, it will be time for the last duel before returning to North America. To do this Inter Miami will have to move to Tokyowhere it will collide before Vissel Kobe.

After covering almost 32 thousand kilometers in a week, Messi will play one of the most special duels of his career: will face Newell’s for the first time. The match will be played at DRV PNK Stadium on February 15. Then it will be time to leave the friendly duels behind and kick off the new season of American soccer.

The millionaire sum that Leo will earn for participating in the Super Bowl

Before finishing the tuning, precisely on February 11, Messi will have a special appearance in a new sport. Yes, he will say present in an advertisement while the Super Bowl LVIII.

It will be thanks to the stellar hiring of North American brewing company Michelob Ultrad, which in its 60-second spot will show Messi ordering a beer as he enters a beach bar. The footballer’s reaction can also be seen when the beer stops flowing from the tap. However, the company’s high-end reinforcement did not come cheaply.

To make an appearance, second The New York TimesMessi will receive the amount of 14 million dollarsdouble what Michelob Ultrad paid for a 30-second spot in 2023.

A sequence of this kind will allow us to show the global reach of the Argentine champion, considering that last year the sporting event was followed by an audience that exceeded 115 million viewers on television and 10 million in streaming. In this edition, the Kansas City Chief will face the San Francisco 49ers.