Messi vs Ronaldo: Top 5 Games Against Each Other With Al Nassr Star Set to Miss ‘Last Dance’

• Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Inter Miami Vs Al-Nassr in the Riyadh Season Cup
• Fans famously dubbed the match ‘the last dance,’ but it will no longer happen
• The last time the two faced off was in the same competition in January 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the Riyadh Season Cup match between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami, dubbed ‘the last dance’ as he steps up recovery from a muscle injury.

Fans are disappointed they will not see Ronaldo play against rival Lionel Messi, possibly for the final time in their illustrious careers, having first played against each other on April 23, 2008.

Sports Brief looks at the top five games between the two superstars.

Top 5 games between Messi and Ronaldo

Barcelona vs Manchester United, 2009

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One of the biggest games between the two was during Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United. Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s side 2-0, and the Argentine scored a famous high header, having his boot off by the time he landed.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid, 2010

Jose Mourinho’s first El Clasico ended in a 5-0 thrashing – the biggest loss of his career at that time. Per Bleacher Report, Messi and Ronaldo failed to score, but the Barca man provided two assists for teammate David Villa. He walked off gallantly to cheers from the away crowd.

Argentina vs Portugal, 2011

Per The Athletic, this was the first time the two greats met on the international stage and the first time, and it was the South American nation that came out victorious, with the reigning Ballon d'Or winner contributing to both goals for his country.

PSG vs Al-Nassr, 2023

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Football

The last game between the two legendary footballers was the Riyadh Season Cup. It was Ronaldo's first game against his rival since 2011 and the first of his time in Saudi Arabia. Both players got on the scoresheet, and PSG won 5-4, but it was a mere formality.

Real Madrid Vs Barcelona, 2017

During the match, Messi did the famous jersey display celebration in front of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd after scoring a late winner – his 500th goal for the Blaugrana. Casemiro and James Rodriguez scored for Madrid. Rakitic scored a belter in between the Argentine’s goals, and the Portuguese failed to get on the scoresheet.

Why Ronaldo will miss ‘last dance’

Sports Brief reported on why Ronaldo will miss Riyadh Season Cup game where Al-Nassr will face Messi’s Inter Miami, dubbed the ‘last dance’ by fans.

Al-Nassr manager Luis Castro ruled the 38-year-old out after just joining team training following a muscle injury that forced the club to cancel their mid-season tour of China.