Inter Miami to Take on Al-Hilal SFC and Al Nassr FC in Riyadh Season Cup

In the upcoming Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi is set to square off against his arch-rival Cristiano Rolando when Inter Miami takes on Al-Hilal SFC and Al Nassr FC.

Both friendly matches with the Major League Soccer team will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. The first match against Al-Hilal is slated for Monday, January 29, followed by a match against Al Nassr three days later.  

Xavier Asensi, Inter Miami CF Chief Business Officer, shares his anticipation for the matches. He sees this as a significant opportunity to forge enduring connections with ardent fans and is excited about reaching out to new enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia. He also hopes that their matches will be able to attract viewers from around the globe.

Chris Henderson, Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director, added his thoughts, expressing excitement for his team's chance to compete against quality teams like Al-Hilal and Al Nassr. He sees these matches as crucial tests for his team, which he believes will be beneficial as they approach the new season.

News of the upcoming friendlies comes just three weeks after Inter Miami negated their team's participation in the forthcoming Riyadh Season Cup. Interestingly, these friendlies will be part of Inter Miami's international pre-season tour, which includes stops in El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong. 

Messi and Rolando have a history of competitiveness, having played against each other in January 2023 when Paris Saint-Germain took on the Saudi All-Stars. Both managed to score, but Rolando’s side was overcome by PSG with a score of 5-4. In total, the two players have met 36 times in club and country matches, with Messi narrowly leading the tally with 16 wins to Rolando's 10, and nine matches ending in a draw.