Comparing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2nd Games in MLS and Saudi League

• Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have had contrasting starts to their pro careers outside of Europe
• Messi scored three goals and dished out one assist in his first two games for Inter Miami
• Ronaldo failed to find the back of the net in his first two games for Al Nassr

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are taking the world by storm.

The football icons have taken their talents to other parts of the globe, with Messi now playing in the United States for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and Ronaldo now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr.

Sports Brief looks at how the two stars fared in their second games in those two countries.

Messi’s 2nd game for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi picked up right where he left off when he made his first start for Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup game against Atlanta United on Tuesday night.

Lionel Messi admits spotting teammate's run for brilliant assist against Netherlands at World Cup

Football

He played a part in three of Inter Miami’s goals as they cruised to an easy 4-0 win, per USA Today.

The Argentine star got the party started in the eighth minute, teaming up with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets for the Herons’ opening goal.

Busquets played a fantastic through ball to Messi as the latter raced up the pitch on a counterattack.

Messi beat Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan with his first shot attempt, but the ball bounced off the far post.

Fortunately for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, the ball ricocheted back to him. He took full advantage of the second opportunity, tapping in the rebound with his right foot to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.

He doubled his account 14 minutes later, with Messi finishing a move started by Busquets again.

Messi was able to run with the football for a fair distance after receiving a pass from Busquets in the middle of the pitch.

Gareth Bale opens up on his dynamic with Ronaldo during their Real Madrid Stint

Football

Messi laid off a pass to Taylor inside the box once a defender pressured him. Taylor found himself in acres of space when he delivered the cross towards Messi, who scored with his right foot to make it 2-0 for Inter Miami.

The 2022 World Cup winner continued his excellent play in the second half. He returned the favor in the 53rd minute, creating a goal for Taylor, who made it 4-0 for Inter Miami.

The crowd gave Messi a standing ovation as he was substituted in the 78th minute.

Ronaldo’s second game for Al Nassr

Ronaldo entered the game against Al Ittihad on January 26, 2023, with hopes of scoring his first goal in Saudi Arabia.

He made a winning start to his Saudi Pro League career, but he failed to score in Al Nassr’s 1-0 victory over Ettifaq on his debut.

Unfortunately for Ronaldo, his second game wasn’t much better as Al Nassr suffered a 3-1 loss to Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup, per Sports Illustrated.

Thiago Messi nutmegs dad Lionel Messi during his Inter Miami unveiling: Video

Football

Romarinho gave Al Ittihad the perfect start after scoring on the quarter-hour mark.

Ronaldo nearly equalized for Al Nassr in the 43rd minute, but his header was spectacularly saved by the Al Ittihad goalkeeper.

That miss proved to be costly as Morocco striker Abderrazak Hamdallah doubled Al Ittihad’s lead just seconds later with a perfectly-placed header.

Talisca pulled one goal back for Al Nassr with a sweet left-footed shot midway through the second period.

Al-Ittihad held on for the victory, however, securing the win in added time with a Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti goal on the counter-attack.

Messi consoles DJ Khaled's son

Sports Brief recently reported on Messi consoling DJ Khaled's son before the game against Atlanta United.

The young boy cried as he stood in front of the Argentine superstar.

Messi made sure the child was OK, checking in on him as the boy's music mogul father watched on the sidelines.