Saudi Chief on Lionel Messi Getting Benched: “He was Afraid of Losing Against Al Nassr Without Cristiano Ronaldo”

The Saudi Pro League chief has taken a massive jibe at Lionel Messi just minutes before Inter Miami’s clash against Al Nassr. With La Pulga kept out of the starting eleven against Al Nassr, Turki Al-Sheikh took a dig at Messi, claiming he was scared of losing against Al Nassr with Cristiano unavailable in their ranks.

Lionel Messi was pulled out of Inter Miami’s starting eleven after the player complained of a muscular injury minutes before the kickoff. The player participated in the previous game against Al Hilal, playing for a total of 88 minutes before being replaced in the final moments of the match. With Inter Miami set to start their regular campaign, it seems like the team does not want to take a risk when it comes to their biggest superstar.

Turki Al-Sheikh takes a dig at Lionel Messi

Saudi Pro League officials never fail to miss an opportunity to take a dig at their rivals. SPL chief Turki Al-Sheikh, while talking in an on-field interview, commented on Lionel Messi’s absence from Inter Miami’s playing eleven. He stated, “I received news about Messi Mob player. He saw Cristiano was absent and was afraid that he would lose against Al Nassr without Ronaldo, and he would stumble and walk away and said, ‘Let me go.’”

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Despite the blatant dig, Inter Miami has likely decided to ensure that the Argentine superstar does not pick up a significant injury just weeks before their MLS campaign. La Pulga has a lot of expectations on his shoulder, and getting injured during a pre-season friendly could be a colossal blow for Inter Miami.

READ MORE: Why Lionel Messi Isn’t Starting Against Al Nassr? Reason Behind Inter Miami Star’s Absence in Riyadh Season Cup Revealed

Al Nassr pulp Inter Miami in during the opening minutes

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence, Al Nassr has taken Inter Miami to the cleaners during the opening minutes of the fixture. The SPL side has already found the back of the net thrice in the first fifteen minutes and looks poised to do some serious damage against their opponents. Inter Miami fans will hope that their side can find a way to turn the deficit, but things, at the moment, seem like an uphill battle.

Al Nassr will look to pile on the pain on their opponents in the coming minutes, and it will be interesting to see if the David Beckham-owned franchise has what it takes to make a comeback at this stage. What do you think could be the scoreline at the end of the contest? Let us know in the comments below.

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