Messi vs Ronaldo: Fans Cheer CR7 and Jeer at Inter Miami Star During Riyadh Season Cup

Messi vs Ronaldo: Fans Cheer CR7 and Jeer at Inter Miami Star During Riyadh Season Cup

Rene Otinga
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
  • Lionel Messi started on the bench for Inter Miami against Al-Nassr
  • Cristiano Ronaldo sat out the game but was applauded by the fans
  • The Argentine, meanwhile, was subjected to jeers from the stands

Saudi Arabia fans made their feelings towards Lionel Messi clear during the Riyadh Season Cup clash between Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Many fans were left disappointed as the game - touted to be ‘the last dance’ between the two veterans - ended up with neither of them in the starting line-up.

Lionel Messi was jeered by fans at the Kingdom Arena on February 1 in Riyadh, while Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo was cheered.
Lionel Messi was jeered by fans at the Kingdom Arena on February 1 in Riyadh, while Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo was cheered. Photo: Yasser Bakhsh.
Source: Getty Images

It was already known Ronaldo would sit the game out, as he was sidelined with an injury, while Messi was started on the bench.

Once the game got underway, Al-Nassr proved too strong for their opponents as they went 3-0 up in the opening 12 minutes.

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Otavio opened the scoring in the third minute before Anderson Talisca made it 2-0 seven minutes later for the Knights of Najd.

Manchester City striker, Aymeric Laporte then scored an outrageous lob shot from inside his team's own half to make it 3-0.

Messi jeered, Ronaldo cheered

To say Inter Miami was having a bad day would be an understatement. It was an evening to forget for Messi in particular, as he was subjected to rare jeers from fans.

Fans at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh made their feelings known in the 42nd minute when the big screen cut to a shot of Ronaldo, who was given a rousing cheer by the fans.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner raised his finger in appreciation.

However, when the cameras switched to Messi, there was a clear shift in the atmosphere as the crowd started jeering, to the bemusement of the 2022 World Cup winner.

In a video trending online, his teammate appears to inform Messi that he is on the screen, with the 37-year-old looking bemused as he realises he is being booed.

Al-Nassr vs Inter Miami: report

In the second half, things went from bad to worse for Inter Miami, as Talisca made it 4-0 with his second goal of the game from the penalty spot.

Mohamed Maran then added a fifth for the Saudi side in the 68th minute before Talisca made it 6-0 in the 73rd minute to complete his hat-trick.

Inter Miami have had a week to forget in the Riyadh Season Cup, which is a three-way exhibition tournament that also includes Al-Hilal.

On January 29, Messi and his team were beaten 3-2 by Al-Hilal in another thrilling match that saw Luis Suarez bag his first goal for the MLS club.

Ronaldo celebrates Al-Nassr goals

Sports Brief also previously reported on how Ronaldo celebrated Al-Nassr's first-half goals.

The former Real Madrid star was in high spirits despite missing the game against Inter Miami.

He would have been pleased with the outcome as Messi's Herons were completely destroyed.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.