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Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Last Dance' with Lionel Messi is off! Al-Nassr superstar ruled OUT of Inter Miami Riyadh Season Cup clash as Luis Castro delivers crushing injury update

Major League Soccer

Philadelphia Union

Inter Miami CF

Messi and Inter Miami will take on Al-Nassr in the Riyadh Season Cup on Thursday but Ronaldo will have to watch from the sidelines. The 38-year-old is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-public-apology-al-nassr-cancel-tour-china-injury-star-forward/bltce12aaa8ffc1c522" target="_blank">nursing a muscle complaint</a> and is still not fit to return to action for the Saudi Pro League side, according to his manager Luis Castro.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Al-Nassr manager explained: "We will not see [Messi vs Ronaldo], Ronaldo is in the final part of his recovery to join the group. We hope that in the next few days you can start working with the team. He will be absent from the game."

WHAT LUIS CASTRO SAID

The news will be a big blow to fans who had been hoping to see the two superstars face off <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronald-lionel-messi-inter-miami-al-nassr/blt841e15f8b42c4949" target="_blank">once again in the latest chapter of their rivalry</a>. It's also entirely possible the fixture would have been their last meeting. Ronaldo will turn 39 in February, although <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/will-cristiano-ronaldo-play-into-40s-cr7-future-plans-targets-discussion/blte0b944a6120c1f53#cs6f13c1cd56aea986" target="_blank">he has said he could continue playing</a> into his forties, while Messi will celebrate his 37th birthday in July. There has also been speculation <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/lionel-messi-makes-decision-when-he-will-leave-inter-miami-world-cup-winner-plans-to-retire-at-newell-s-old-boys/blt9f0eac375d43276f" target="_blank">Messi will leave Miami when his contract expires in 2025</a> and return to Argentina with boyhood club Newell's Old Boys.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi and Miami take on Al-Nassr hoping for a first win of pre-season. The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/inter-miami-lionel-messi-luis-suarez-al-hilal-riyadh-cup/blt80272212b6d69f29" target="_blank">Herons were beaten 4-3 last time out by Al-Hilal,</a> with Messi and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/luis-suarez-opens-his-inter-miami-account-vs-al-hilal-in-riyadh-cup/blt863d1956945c7b5c" target="_blank">new team-mate Luis Suarez</a> both on target. Meanwhile, Ronaldo will concentrate on his fitness in order to be in top condition when the Saudi Pro League resumes after the mid-season break in February.

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI AND RONALDO

Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Last Dance' with Lionel Messi is off! Al-Nassr superstar ruled OUT of Inter Miami Riyadh Season Cup clash as Luis Castro delivers crushing injury update | Goal.com Ghana

Cristiano Ronaldo&apos;s eagerly-antipated showdown with Lionel Messi is off, with the Al-Nassr star unable to face Inter Miami due to injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo&apos;s &apos;Last Dance&apos; with Lionel Messi is off! Al-Nassr superstar ruled OUT of Inter Miami Riyadh Season Cup clash as Luis Castro delivers crushing injury update