Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s teams will face off again as Inter Miami take on Al Nassr in the Riyadh Season Cup on February 1.
The iconic duo last met in an exhibition game between Al Hilal/Al Nassr and Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, with the Parisians winning 5-4, before Messi’s move to Florida.
Messi has a strong record against his old foe, with 17 wins from 37 meetings across all competitions throughout their stellar careers, and their teams are unlikely to meet again in competitive action before retirement.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch it across the world, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
What time does Inter Miami vs Al Nassr kick off?
This friendly clash takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and kicks off on Thursday, February 1 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Thu, Feb. 1 | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Thu, Feb. 1 | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| UK | Thu, Feb. 1 | 6:00 p.m. GMT |
| Australia | Fri, Feb. 2 | 5:00 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Thu, Feb. 1 | 11:30 p.m. IST |
Inter Miami vs Al Nassr live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this friendly match across selected areas of the world’s major regions.
Apple+ has a FREE TRIAL so you can try it before you buy.
USA: This game is available via exclusive streaming via the MLS Season Pass.
Canada: This match is available for live streaming on the MLS Season Pass with extra options on DAZN.
UK: MLS Season Pass is the go-to option in the UK with additional broadcast and streaming available on DAZN.
Australia: BeIN Sports provides broadcast and streaming access for fans in Australia alongside the MLS Season Pass.
Apple TV is the official home of the MLS regular season and playoffs, with every match for every team available to stream around the world with no blackouts. Select games each week are made free to air, while the rest of the fixture list is for subscribers only.
The streaming service, dubbed MLS Season Pass, will be available for all fans to purchase at a set, season-long price, and it is available at a discounted rate for Apple TV+ subscribers.
MLS Season Pass is separate from Apple TV+, meaning those with Apple TV+ would still need an MLS Season Pass subscription to access the complete slate of games, while those without Apple TV+ can still sign up for MLS Season Pass without needing a full Apple TV+ subscription.
Inter Miami vs Al Nassr lineups, team news
Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino could stick with an unchanged team from the Al Hilal loss with Messi partnered in attack by Luis Suarez.
Inter Miami (3-5-2, right to left): Callender (GK) — Allen, Aviles, Kryvtsov — Yedlin, Gressel, Busquets, Ruiz, Alba — Suarez, Messi.
Inter Miami subs (9): TBC
This match is Al Nassr’s first game back in action since their mid-season break with Luis Castro’s team currently second in the Saudi Pro League.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play vs. Inter Miami?
There are no fresh injuries in his squad but Castro is without some key names due to the AFC Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite Saudi Arabia being eliminated at the Round of 16 stage, several players are still travelling back from Qatar, with Sadio Mane absent following Senegal’s AFCON exit.
Cristiano Ronaldo had been set to captain Al Nassr in this game as part of his build up to the new season but head coach Castro has now confirmed the game has come too soon and he’s set to sit out the match with a calf injury.
Al Nassr (4-2-3-1 right to left): Alaqidi (GK) — Al-Ghannam, Laporte, Alamri, Telles — Brozovic, Al-Khaibari — Talisca, Otavio, Maran — Al Namer.
Al Nassr subs (9): TBC
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo prediction
Both players scored in their friendly clash in 2023, with Messi netting a hat-trick, and Ronaldo scoring twice.
The pair have both managed to find the back of the net in three of their last five direct clashes and Messi opened his preseason account in the 4-3 friendly loss to Al Hilal.
Prediction: Inter Miami 2-2 Al Nassr – Messi to score
