Al Nassr defeated Inter Miami 6-0, with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a much-anticipated match against Lionel Messi, who appeared as a late substitute in Thursday’s friendly in Riyadh due to injury.
Ronaldo’s calf injury forced Al Nassr to cancel their two-game China tour last week, denying him what could have been his final encounter against longtime nemesis Messi.
The pair have won a total of 13 Ballon d’Or awards, with Messi winning for the unprecedented eighth time last year. Their most recent meeting occurred in January 2023, when Ronaldo played for a Saudi select side that was defeated 5-4 by Messi’s PSG.
Instead, Brazilian Talisca stole the show with a hat-trick as the Saudi Pro League team annihilated their Major League Soccer opponents, scoring three goals in the first 12 minutes.
Otavio drilled in the opener after Miami lost possession while attempting to play out of the back, prompting Ronaldo to rise to his feet and applaud from the stands.
Al Nassr’s second goal came from a sliding Talisca, as the visitors were punished once more for giving up control near their own box.
Aymeric Laporte scored the game’s only goal, beating Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender with a long-range free kick from deep inside his own half.
Talisca scored his second goal from the penalty spot minutes after halftime, and Mohammed Maran added a header to Miami’s agony.
Despite the inclusion of former Barcelona stars Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, the American team was definitely feeling the effects of a globe-trotting pre-season tour, but the class gap was also stark.
Talisca completed his treble and executed Ronaldo’s characteristic celebration before Messi came on for the final seven minutes, with his team trailing by six goals.
Miami continues to prepare for the new MLS season, which begins on February 21, by traveling to Asia for games in Hong Kong and Japan.
Before departing for the Middle East, they played El Salvador and FC Dallas of the MLS.
AFP