Ronaldo to miss Messi showdown with injury – Al Nassr coach

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr's friendly against long-time rival Lionel Messi at Inter Miami on Thursday due to a calf injury, the Saudi club's coach announced on Wednesday.

“Cristiano is in the final part of his recovery to rejoin the group,” Luís Castro said at a press conference on Wednesday.

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We hope that he can start working with the team in the coming days. He will be an element that will be absent from the match.”

The match, scheduled to take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, had been billed as the final club meeting of the two stars who dominated European football for a decade, including during their simultaneous spells with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Messi and Inter Miami were beaten 4-3 by Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal on Monday. Al Nassr are seven points behind second-placed Al Hilal and have not played since December 30 due to the SPL and Asian Cup host country being on hiatus.