Even without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr celebrated a goal festival against Inter Miami with the late substitute soccer world champion Lionel Messi.
The 36-year-old Argentine selection captain only came onto the pitch in the 83rd minute of the pre-season game in Riyadh, when the final score of 6-0 (3-0) was already certain for the hosts. A direct duel between the two eternal rivals, who together had won 13 of the last 15 Ballon d’Ors for the best footballer in the world, did not take place due to Ronaldo’s calf injury. The 39-year-old Portuguese watched the game from the stands.
Four days after the 4-3 win in the first friendly against Al-Hilal, Messi’s Major League Soccer club suffered a major blow. The Argentinean watched from the bench as Otavio (3rd minute), Talisca (10th) and Aymeric Laporte (12th) made things clear early on. With a converted penalty and the goal to make it 6-0 (51st/73rd), the Brazilian Talisca completed his hat-trick. Mohammed Maran scored the interim 5-0 (68th).