The world of soccer was abuzz with the promise of a ‘Last Dance’ between legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi during the friendly match between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami. However, the spectacle took an unexpected turn as the game descended into a heated brawl, leaving fans and superstars alike in a state of shock.
Inter Miami’s preseason journey took a dramatic twist in Riyadh. With Messi benched until the 83rd minute due to ‘discomfort’ in his hamstring, the Herons were left exposed and suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat at the hands of Al Nassr. Ronaldo, nursing a knock, could only watch from the luxury boxes as his team dominated the pitch.
The match was a litmus test for Miami’s defense and Messi’s fitness, two critical concerns for the club. However, Al Nassr’s relentless pressure led to an early lead through Otávio and didn’t let up, with Talisca adding to the scoreline with a skillful goal. The Saudi team’s prowess was further highlighted by Aymeric Laporte’s incredible long-range free-kick, which saw him lob the goalkeeper from about 75 yards out.
Despite the one-sided scoreline, the match’s intensity didn’t wane. Tempers flared shortly before halftime, leading to a clash that required official intervention. The scuffle began with a strong challenge from Miami’s Gregore against Talisca and escalated when Boushal retaliated with a harsh tackle on Noah Allen. Sergio Busquets and Boushal both received yellow cards for their involvement in the altercation.
The second half offered no respite for Miami as Al Nassr continued their onslaught, with Talisca completing a hat-trick. Messi’s late introduction did little to salvage the situation, though he managed to emerge unscathed, a small consolation for the beleaguered MLS side.
This preseason has been less than inspiring for Inter Miami, with lackluster performances and now a humiliating loss to a Ronaldo-less Al Nassr. The team’s high-profile roster brings with it a level of scrutiny that makes dismissing preseason results difficult.
The brawl overshadowed the absence of the much-anticipated duel between Ronaldo and Messi. Ronaldo was sidelined due to a calf injury, while Messi, initially expected to start, was benched following an MRI after discomfort post the Al-Hilal match. The Argentine superstar’s brief appearance was the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal outing for Miami.
As the dust settles on this chaotic friendly, Inter Miami must regroup and address the glaring issues that have surfaced. With the MLS season looming, manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has his work cut out for him. The team’s next challenge awaits in Hong Kong, and all eyes will be on how they respond to this setback.
In the end, the match that promised a final showdown between two of soccer’s greatest instead delivered a stark reminder that in the beautiful game, nothing is guaranteed—not even a ‘Last Dance.’
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