An all-time great individual rivalry is set to be renewed for its ‘Last Dance’ as Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi do battle in the 2024 Riyadh Season Cup.
We grew accustomed to the supreme contemporaries using the grandest stages and amphitheatres as a medium for their unmissable duels, but their respective twilights mean both Ronaldo and Messi have drifted away from the European mainstream.
Ronaldo’s goalscoring form in Saudi Arabia and Messi’s successes in recent awards nights suggests the pair aren’t exactly on the brink of hanging up their boots, but their differing post-Europe swan songs mean this may be the very last time the two share a pitch in a semi-competitive environment.
The Riyadh Season Cup really is nothing more than a glorified friendly set-up to generate a ton of social media buzz, but that shouldn’t take away from what could be a historic occasion.
Here’s how you can tune in to Ronaldo and Messi’s ‘Last Dance’ in Riyadh.
As is the case with the Saudi Pro League, the 2024 Riyadh Season Cup will not be easily accessible.
The three-team tournament which also includes Neymar’s Al Hilal – although the Brazilian’s long-term injury means he won’t be able to feature – can only be streamed via Apple TV. All of Inter Miami’s pre-season fixtures are being shown on the subscription service.
To watch Messi’s Miami, you need to buy the MLS Pass on Apple TV. This pass is available across the globe, meaning anyone can subscribe to watch Messi’s upcoming matches in Riyadh. The pass is pretty expensive at £14.99 a month, but you will be able to catch all of Inter Miami’s friendlies in February if you purchase it before the start of the 2024 Riyadh Cup.
After taking on Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and Al Hilal, the Herons also face Hong Kong, Vissel Kobe and Newell’s Old Boys as part of their pre-season preparations.
AppleTV+ subscribers can purchase a monthly pass for £12.99.
The Season Cup, which is a part of the Riyadh Season sports festival, gets underway on Monday 29 January as Inter Miami take on current Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal.
While Messi’s old teammate Neymar will be absent, the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly could all line up for the Saudi side.
Miami then battle Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in the ‘Last Dance’ on Thursday 1 February. Both of Inter Miami’s fixtures will kick-off at 18:00 (GMT).
The final game between SPL rivals Al Hilal and Al Nassr is scheduled for the following week, Thursday 8 February, although this fixture won’t be streamed on Apple TV.
Riyadh Season Cup 2024 fixtures
|
Date/Kick-off Time (GMT) |
Fixture |
|---|---|
|
29/01/24 / 18:00 |
Inter Miami vs Al Hilal |
|
01/02/24 / 18:00 |
Al Nassr vs Inter Miami |
|
08/02/24 / TBC |
Al Hilal vs Al Nassr |
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