More Riyadh Season Cup News
VIDEO: Sergio Busquets Punches Al Nassr Star as Big Fight Breaks Out in Inter Miami Game
Inter Miami's Sergio Busquets lost his calm during the ongoing clash against Al Nassr, as a major fight broke out between the two teams.
Al Nassr vs Inter Miami Half-Time Celebration: Reason Behind Festivities in Riyadh Season Cup With Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi’s Absence
The half-time break between Inter Miami and Al Nassr will see a firework celebration despite Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's absence.
Saudi Chief on Lionel Messi Getting Benched: “He was Afraid of Losing Against Al Nassr Without Cristiano Ronaldo”
Saudi Pro League chief has taken a jibe at Lionel Messi's absence against Al Nassr claiming he was scared of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Injury Update: Cristiano Ronaldo Confirmed For Al Hilal Game in Riyadh Season Cup as Per Al Nassr Boss Luis Castro
Al Nassr boss Luis Castro has provided a key update on Cristiano Ronaldo with the player set to be available for the Al Hilal clash.
Why Lionel Messi Isn’t Starting Against Al Nassr? Reason Behind Inter Miami Star’s Absence in Riyadh Season Cup Revealed
Lionel Messi has been ruled out of the clash against Al Nassr with the player suffering a setback at the last minute before kickoff.
Who Is Esther Staubli, the Female Referee For Al Nassr Vs Inter Miami In the Riyadh Season Cup?
As fans gear up for Al Nassr vs Inter Miami, get to know about Esther Staubli, the female referee set to officiate the star-studded clash.
Al Nassr Extends Cristiano Ronaldo’s Housing Contract in Saudi Arabia as He Commits Future to the Club
After being declared to remain absent for 'The Last Dance,' Al Nassr executes the request of Cristiano Ronaldo regarding his housing contract.
Al Nassr Drop Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane & 6 Other Players for Facing Lionel Messi & Inter Miami in Riyadh Season Cup
Amidst the Riyadh Season Cup clash against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, Al Nassr omitted Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and six players.
Big Boost For Al Nassr After Cristiano Ronaldo Ruled Out For Lionel Messi Faceoff at Riyadh Season Cup: Reports
Amid the blow of Cristiano Ronaldo's absence, Al Nassr sees a glimmer of hope, as they will have a veteran ready to clash with Lionel Messi.
Big Boost to Neymar’s Al Hilal as FIFA The Best GK Nominee Returns Ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo Faceoff at Riyadh Season Cup: Reports
Having conceded three goals against Inter Miami, Neymar's Al Hilal gets respite, as its star goalkeeper with 12 clean sheets returns!
Who Will Replace Injured Cristiano Ronaldo Against Inter Miami? Al Nassr’s Expected Lineup Against Lionel Messi’s Side in Riyadh Season Cup
It will be interesting to see who does Luis Castro field in his playing eleven against Inter Miami after ruling out Cristiano Ronaldo.
Are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi Friends? Uncovering Relationship & Rivalry Between Al Nassr & Inter Miami Star
The dyanmics of friendship and rivalry have constantly changed between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as we look back at the old times.
About Riyadh Season Cup
Known for hosting landmark sporting and entertainment events since 2019, the Riyadh Season started to hold the soccer tournament Riyadh Season Cup in 2022. During the inaugural edition and the second one, the tournament hosted a single winner-takes-all match. However, the Riyadh Season Cup 2024 will be an amped-up version, where domestic sides Al Hilal and Al Nassr will compete with MLS' Inter Miami in a single-round robin group. The club that tops the table in the group will take home this year's Riyadh Season Cup.
The current edition of the Riyadh Season kick-started with a Tyson Fury-Francis Ngannou fight. Soon, the Anthony Josua-Otto Walliin fight, dubbed 'The Day of Reckoning', became the state-funded event's major attraction. But it will be the Riyadh Season Cup that will arguably host the most coveted clash in the recent sporting lore. In a match dubbed 'The Last Dance,' Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will go head-to-head perhaps for the last time in their storied careers.
Riyadh Season Cup: key dates and venues
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami will kick-start this year's Riyadh Season Cup by playing against Al Hilal on January 29, Monday at the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi Arabian capital. Al Hilal will unfortunately miss Neymar's services because of his prolonged recovery from a cruciate ligament tear. Had the Brazilian been available, the tournament could have brought together the sport's classic triumvirate; Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar.
The most coveted 'Last Dance' that features Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will take place on February 01, Thursday at the Kingdom Arena.
With this match, Inter Miami's run in the Riyadh Season Cup will come to an end. Ronaldo's Al Nassr, on the other hand, will play against their same-city-rival Al Hilal on February 08, at the same venue. The Riyadh derby will be decisive in the outcome of the tournament. Anyhow, it is surprising to note that no Saudi club has won the Riyadh Season Cup before, despite being the hosts. Let's see who won the prize earlier.
Past winners and cash prize
Though the Riyadh Season Cup is making news for bringing Messi and Ronaldo together, this is not the first time it has done so. In 2023, Messi's PSG faced a combined XI of Al Nassr and Al Hilal players, captained by Ronaldo. Then, the Riyadhi powerhouses crumbled against PSG's might. And the Parisians took home $10 million in cash prizes.
This year's prize money is yet to be announced. The first edition of the Riyadh Season Cup also saw the same outcome. PSG came to Riyadh as guests and defeated Al Hilal to take home the shield and cash prizes.
Therefore, with his upcoming Inter Miami appearance, Lionel Messi is featuring in the Riyadh Season Cup for the third time. Having won on the first two occasions, he will be looking to grab a third, that too, by defeating his generational rival, whereas Ronaldo will make the best of his opportunity for payback.
Meanwhile, despite missing Neymar, Al Hilal has emerged as the true heavyweights, topping the Saudi League table without a loss. Hence, the upcoming Riyadh Season Cup is one great gala that, all soccer fans are looking forward to.
