Inter Miami News: 3 Key Players Absent as Lionel Messi & Inter Miami Travel to Saudi Arabia for Riyadh Season Cup

Next up for Inter Miami & Lionel Messi is the showdown against Al Nassr on February 1. The MLS side has announced a 25-man squad for the Riyadh Season Cup and for the following matches in China and Japan. Coach Tata Martino will not be pleased considering many of his players will be unavailable owing to injury issues. Pre-season hasn’t gone as per plan for Inter Miami following their loss against FC Dallas.

However, Al Nassr is also facing significant injury worries and this could slightly even up the contest in Riyadh. The Herons must get results in the upcoming matches to boost their confidence levels, ahead of the season opener against Real Salt Lake on February 22.

Injuries that will impact Lionel Messi & Co. in the Riyadh Season Cup

There are a few yet noticeable absentees in Inter Miami’s traveling squad. Benjamin Cremaschi suffered a groin injury and will hopefully be available directly for the season opener. However, it’s the 3 other unavailable players that are causing worry. Attacking midfielder Facundo Farias suffered an ACL injury in the pre-season match against El Salvador. He is expected to miss the entirety of the 2024 campaign!

Farias joins 2 other players who are also ruled out due to ACL injuries- Franco Negri & Corentin Jean. Negri, the left-back was injured in June 2023 and his unavailability even after 7 months might be slightly concerning for the team. However, with, the acquisition of Jordi Alba, they are well covered in that area. French winger Corentin Jean also ruptured his ACL in the same month and is unavailable. Before his injury, he was an important part of the team having started in 12 games for the Herons.

While injuries have undoubtedly depleted Inter Miami’s strength, Lionel Messi & Co. have it much easier. Al Nassr on the other hand is sweating regarding the fitness of its star player Cristiano Ronaldo, and the latest update does very little to alleviate the concerns.

It’s not looking good for Cristiano Ronaldo and the much-awaited Last Dance!

As per the latest update, CR7 missed his 8th consecutive day of training. He is still in the gym to continue his rehabilitation. Cristiano Ronaldo recently suffered from a muscle injury and as a result, Al Nassr had to cancel the trip to China. The game against Inter Miami won’t be canceled as it is part of a 3-team tournament also involving Al Hilal. But, without CR7, the match is all set to lose its significance!

Read More: Sergio Aguero Hypes Up Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi’s ‘Last Dance’ As Al Nassr Faces Inter Miami In the Riyadh Season Cup

Dubbed the ‘Last Dance’, this was expected to be the final clash between Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi. The two soccer icons have faced each other 36 times. Considering how they are both out of Europe, further matchups seem unlikely. Since Al Hilal is already without Neymar, the absence of CR7 could hugely dampen the previous fanfare around the Riyadh Season Cup.

Will the Last Dance include both Messi and Ronaldo starting the game? Tell us your predictions in the comments below.

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