Riyadh: The anticipation of the clash had reached fever pitch but Castro’s words poured water on all the hopes that the supporters had of witnessing the two greats share a pitch once again after one year.
Cristiano Ronaldo will not be playing the highly anticipated Riyadh Season Cup match against Lionel Messi on Thursday, Al Nassr coach Luis Castro said on Wednesday putting an end to the speculations of a final dance between the two rivals.
“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,” Castro said.
The anticipation of the clash had reached fever pitch but Castro’s words poured water on all the hopes that the supporters had of witnessing the two greats share a pitch once again after one year.
This would probably been the last time these two icons faced each other with Ronaldo turning 39 in February and Messi turning 37 in July. There have been rumours that Messi might leave the USA after his contract expires to go and ply his trade with boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has said that he’s still some way off from retiring.
Messi’s Inter Miami will next play a Ronaldo-less Al Nassr on Thursday and then hope to get their first win of the preseason. They have lost to FC Dallas and New York City FC and then played out a draw with El Salvador where Messi and Luis Suarez both started. Earlier this week, they also lost to Al Hilal 4-3 which will put a dent in their confidence.
As for Ronaldo, he’ll be looking to get back to full fitness so that he can continue his blistering run with Al Nassr, who are undefeated in the last 5 matches. The Portuguese talisman is on a hot streak of form, scoring 20 goals in 18 matches this season.
Agencies

KR Desk