Lionel Messi Makes the Riyadh Season Cup ‘Exceptional’, Claims Al Hilal Boss Jorge Jesus

Saudi heavyweights Al Hilal look all set to host Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami at home. The clash between the two sides will kick-start the Riyadh Season Cup, with around the world excited for the fixtures. Despite the challenge ahead of him and his team, Al Hilal boss Jorge Jesus lavished praise on La Pulga during his press conference.

Lionel Messi and his men will look to start their campaign on a positive note. The side has had a rough pre-season so far, with the side failing to find the back of the net in their last two games. Al Hilal could pose an enormous threat to the side, with the SPL table-toppers boasting some impressive stars in their ranks.

Jorge Jesus praises Lionel Messi before upcoming clash

Al Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus was full of praise for Lionel Messi during his press conference before the Riyadh Season Cup opener. Jesus claimed it is nice to see Messi play in the game, as his presence makes the tournament exceptional. This is high praise from the Al Hilal boss, considering his side is the favorites heading into the game. “The presence of Al Hilal and Messi in the match makes the event and the match exceptional.”

Inter Miami has struggled to deliver during their pre-season so far. Despite signing some new names to their ranks, the side is yet to register a win to their name. Winter signing Luis Suarez seems like a shell of his former shelf and could not display his clinical finishing in the final third. Their last 2 games resulted in a goalless draw against El Salvador and a 1-0 defeat against FC Dallas.

Inter Miami management would love nothing more to ensure that Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez find their connection during the game against Al Hilal. With the side set to take on Cristiano Ronaldo in the following fixture, the side needs to be at the top of their game to bag the bragging rights at the end of the final whistle.

Cristiano Ronaldo has his eyes set to a return

While La Pulga will start things off tomorrow night, Al Nassr skipper Cristiano Ronaldo is still in doubt for the clash against Inter Miami on the 1st of February. The Portuguese star has been out with a muscular injury and has missed most of his team’s training sessions this month. Al Nassr even had to cancel its China tour following Ronaldo’s injury, which would’ve seen them take on Shanghai Shenhua and Zheijang. According to reports, the player is doing his best to recover in time for the fixture and wants to ensure his availability for the clash.

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Fans will hope that Cristiano recovers in time for the game as his absence could take half of the charm away from the highly anticipated clash. The promoters for the fixture would also love to see Cristiano take to the field, with the game being billed as the ‘Last Dance’ between the two long-time rivals.

Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo will find optimal fitness before the fixture against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami? Let us know in the comments below.

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