Big Boost For Al Nassr After Cristiano Ronaldo Ruled Out For Lionel Messi Faceoff at Riyadh Season Cup: Reports

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s injury has ruined what could have perhaps been a last meeting with his generational rival Lionel Messi. Al Nassr is now forced to bet on the services of Sadio Mane and others to have the better of the Herons. The MLS side, on the other hand, houses a strong forward fleet powered by Messi and Luis Suarez. Besides, both these ex-Barcelona stars have made their mark by finding the net against Al Hilal. Anyhow, Al Nassr does not seem to be at their wit’s end before facing Miami at the Riyadh Season Cup. If CR7’s absence left a void in his side’s attacking prowess, a veteran will now reportedly make a comeback to aid the team from the defensive third.

Reports suggest that Al Nassr will start their experienced goalkeeper, David Ospina, against Inter Miami. Ospina has not played for Al Nassr this season owing to an elbow injury. This lengthy absence has even prompted the club to not register him for the current season. However, now that the Colombian goalie has fully recovered, Luis Castro and Co. will once again bet on his prospects. Interestingly, he is quite the name to bet on when Messi, Suarez, and Campana are going to come running at you. Ospina has played just 14 matches across competitions for Al Nassr. But he managed not to concede a goal on nine occasions!

After he left the camp injured, Nawaf Al Aqidi replaced him between the sticks. However, he has failed to emulate Ospina. Al Aqidi has managed to keep only 3 one clean sheets this season in the RSL. From the looks of it, Al Nassr is now better off against David Beckham’s side as the ex-Arsenal goalie is back. Even so, Al Nassr will still struggle to keep fans happy, as their marquee man Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the party. Will he meet with La Pulga ever again on the pitch? Let’s find out.

Is another reunion possible for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, while they’re at Al Nassr and Inter Miami?

While his teammates trained ahead of the Inter Miami match, Cristiano Ronaldo exercised individually, facilitating his recovery process. So the imminent Riyadh Season match will logically not be the Last Dance anymore. However, there is a chance for the arch-rivals to lock horns again. If Inter Miami wins the CONCACAF Champions League and Al Nassr wins the AFC Champions League, Ronaldo and Messi have a chance of facing off in the FIFA Club World Cup.

READ MORE: Manchester City Send Scouts to Monitor Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr Teammate Abdulrahman Ghareeb

If not for that, the next Riyadh Season might try to host another meeting of the two. Remember, Lionel Messi’s PSG played against a combined 11 consisting of Al Nassr and Al Hilal players in the last Riyadh Season. Given the marketing upside of the ‘GOAT’ clash, why won’t the Saudi authorities try to bring them together again? Let’s hope the two icons meet again soon.

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