Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be playing against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on Thursday due to a calf injury said Al Nassr head coach Luis Castro. 

Castro said that Ronaldo is in the final stages of his recovery and won’t be able to play in the friendly. Many fans had dubbed the game as the “Last Dance” between two of the greatest soccer players the world has ever seen.

Why is Ronaldo not playing vs Messi’s Inter Miami

Inter Miami’s narrow 4-3 friendly defeat to Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal in Riyadh on Monday was highlighted with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi’s first goals of 2024.

What needs to be discussed more is the incredible Messi assist vs Al Hilal in the 55th minute to set up youngster David Ruiz.

The Herons were trailing 3-1 in the second half until the 54th minute when Messi finished confidently from the penalty spot to bring his side within one. A minute later the score would be level thanks to a beauty of a goal.

Lionel Messi assist vs Al Hilal

Fans that traveled to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, on Monday for a preseason fixture between Inter Miami and FC Dallas likely went to the game to see Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The only goal they would see was from Jesús Ferreira assisted by Paul Arriola.

A night that was advertised with some of the world’s biggest names was beautifully stolen by two USMNT players. Incredible.

In the third minute of play Arriola and Ferreira silenced any Miami fans in attendance and gave the Dallas faithful a priceless moment.

LONDON — Argentine Lionel Messi retained the FIFA men's player of the year trophy on Monday, beating Manchester City's treble-winning Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and France's Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé to the award.

Spain's 2023 World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati was voted the best women's player of the year.

Messi, who also secured the men's award in 2022 after guiding Argentina to World Cup victory, clinched the Ligue 1 title with PSG alongside Mbappe following that success, before moving to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami.

Inter Miami CF signed free agent wingback and midfielder Julian Gressel through the 2026 season.

The deal was sealed Tuesday includes an option for 2027 and reunites Gressel with head coach Tata Martino.

Gressel, 30, won the 2018 MLS Cup playing for Martino with Atlanta United FC.

Gressel added another championship last season, lifting the 2023 MLS Cup with the Columbus Crew.

Julian Gressel Inter Miami transfer

Inter Miami have signed striker Luis Suarez, the Major League Soccer club announced on Friday as the Uruguayan once again teams up with close friend and former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.

Suarez has signed a contract for the 2024 season and has also been reunited with former Barca players and treble-winning teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, with who they won four LaLiga titles in five years.

Inter Miami and Lionel Messi are going worldwide in 2024 with the preseason schedule taking the Herons to El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and who knows where else. The Inter Miami preseason travel will be intense.

The idea of Miami touring the world and fans getting to see one last Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo game is exciting on paper. When you start adding up the miles that the club will travel you start to feel a little bad for the Miami players.

Here are the dates and opponents announced so far.

Inter Miami 2024 preseason schedule