sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Date set for final Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo game with prize that'll settle the GOAT debate
Home>Football>Football News
Published 09:25 12 Dec 2023 GMT

Date set for final Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo game with prize that'll settle the GOAT debate

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will meet on the pitch for the final time, with a trophy on the line.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

The date for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's last meeting on the pitch has been confirmed and there will be a trophy on the line.

Messi and Ronaldo have dominated world football for the last 15 years and have a total of 13 Ballon d'Ors and 79 major honours between them.

On the pitch, they've met on 35 occasions and raised one another's game with their special performances.

Advert

Their most recent encounter was a friendly fixture where Ronaldo turned out for a Riyadh XI against Paris Saint-Germain back in January, with both players on the scoresheet.

But the two titans of world football will do battle again in a 'Last Dance' at the start of next year.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Having initially denied any involvement, Inter Miami have confirmed they will participate in the Riyadh Season Cup.

First up is a clash against an Al Hilal side featuring the likes of Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

That takes place on January 29, days before the fixture with Ronaldo's Al Nassr in Riyadh on February 1.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

It will serve as preparation for the new MLS season for Gerardo Martino's side, who do not kick off their next campaign until the end of February at the earliest.

“This is another major opportunity to create lasting relationships with passionate fans," Xavier Asensi, Inter Miami's Chief Business Officer, commented.

"We are excited to connect with new supporters in Saudi Arabia, and also hope people all over the world will be tuning in to see a pair of dream matches like these."

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Al Hilal and Al Nassr will both play each other in the Riyadh derby and the team with the most points will take the inaugural trophy.

It could finally settle the age-old debate as to who is the greatest but in Ronaldo's mind, their rivalry is no longer present.

"I don't see things like that, the rivalry is gone," Ronaldo said in September.

"It was good, spectators liked it. Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don't have to hate Messi and vice versa.

"We've done well, we have changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world, that's the most important thing.

"He's followed his path and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Inter Miami, Al Nassr

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

Michael Bisping suggests radical eye poke rule change ahead of Tom Aspinall comebackGetty ImagesAndrea Pirlo interview: 'Football has changed and unfortunately we've been left behind' Getty ImagesThierry Henry picks player who will surprise everyone at World Cup – ‘There’s a guy people don’t know about...’GettyRonnie O’Sullivan says snooker star can win 'multiple world titles' and gives update on futureGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

18 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty
    18 mins ago

    Rafael Leao causes meltdown with Bruno Fernandes comment amid Man United transfer links

    AC Milan star Rafael Leao has got fans excited after being heavily linked with a move to the Premier League.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    England's World Cup squad numbers leaked in FIFA document

    England's World Cup squad numbers have emerged online ahead of the official announcement.

    Football
  • Getty - Instagram/ganga
    2 hours ago

    Alejandro Garnacho unveils incredible new tattoo that covers his entire back

    Ganga, one of the most renowned tattoo artists in the world, worked on Garnacho's latest ink.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Andoni Iraola demands five new signings and four Liverpool exits in dramatic squad overhaul

    Andoni Iraola is planning quite the squad overhaul upon his arrival at Liverpool after the dismissal of Arne Slot.

    Football
  • Lionel Messi suffers huge injury scare in final Inter Miami match before World Cup
  • Cristiano Ronaldo has made his feelings clear on Lionel Messi as Inter Miami star makes 'not friends' comment
  • Donald Trump snubs Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when naming his footballing GOAT
  • Why Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi lost millions of Instagram followers