Sports fans have quickly become familiar with the hype of the Riyadh season and Saudi Arabia’s iconic cultural festival is taking over this week.
Al Nassr will host Inter Miami and Lionel Messi as part of the Riyadh Season Cup at the Kingdom Arena on February 1. Unfortunately for fans around the world (and competition organisers), it was confirmed the day before that Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent injury would prevent him from playing against his former rival.
When the match was announced, Turki Alalshikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, posted on social media the title of the showdown between the former Clasico rivals, who have 13 Ballon d’Ors between them, “The Last Dance.” , remembering the epic Netflix Documentary that shows the final season and the glory years of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
The exhibition match between a Riyadh season team that included Ronaldo and Messi’s then employer, Paris Saint-Germain, was their 37th meeting. Will they get a 38?
Ronaldo vs Messi ‘Last Dance’: Will they face each other again?
The match scheduled between Al Nassr and Inter Miami on February 1 was quite possibly the last meeting between Ronaldo and Messi, but not definitely.
When Messi and Ronaldo were enjoying their imperial spells at Barcelona and Real Madrid, they were guaranteed two matches per season in La Liga, and this tally was often supplemented by matches in the Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey and Champions League.
Ronaldo’s move to Juventus in 2018 ended this proximity and their last game against each other in European club football came on December 8, 2020, when Cristiano enjoyed the sweet success of scoring two goals in a 3-3 win. -0 in the Juve Champions League at the Camp Nou.
The following season, Messi moved up to PSG and Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United. Ultimately, these were unsatisfactory final chapters in Europe that effectively closed the book on any more competitive club fixtures.
However, a look at the early-year schedules of Al Nassr and Inter Miami shows that money-making exhibition games are heavily integrated into the business model, especially with two of the biggest stars in sports history in payroll.
While this month’s “Last Dance” has become impossible, it would take a brave person to back another showdown of Riyadh’s season. If not next year, perhaps in 2026, when both veterans will likely be preparing for their last shot at the biggest prize of all.
Messi will turn 39 during the 2026 World Cup when Argentina defends their title, while Ronaldo will enter his fifth decade. However, the incredible longevity of both men means that participating in the tournament is very much on the cards. A showdown between Argentina and Portugal that includes the two veterans could be the most fitting farewell of all.
Ronaldo vs Messi: head-to-head record
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have met 34 times in club competitions, in addition to last season’s exhibition in Riyadh. As expected, the vast majority of these games took place within the white-hot intensity of El Clásico.
The pair have also faced each other twice for their international teams. Both occasions were international friendlies.
In February 2011, Argentina beat Portugal 2-1 in Geneva, with goals from both players. Portugal got their revenge in November 2014 with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford, although neither player scored.
Both have never faced their international teams in a competitive match. Fingers crossed for 2026…
Interestingly, if we count Riyadh’s 5-4 ding-dong of the season 12 months ago, throughout their professional matches, Messi and Ronaldo have 24 goals each in these matches.
| Date | Competence | Match | Result | Messi | ronaldo |
| January 19, 2023 | Exhibition | Riyadh Season Team – PSG | 4-5 | 1 goal | 2 goals |
| December 8, 2020 | Champions League | Barcelona-Juventus | 0-3 | — | 2 goals |
| May 6, 2018 | the league | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 2-2 | 1 goal | 1 goal |
| December 23, 2017 | the league | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 0-3 | — | 1 goal, 1 assist |
| August 13, 2017 | Super Cup | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 1-3 | 1 goal | 1 goal |
| April 23, 2017 | the league | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 23 | 2 goals | — |
| December 3, 2016 | the league | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 1-1 | — | — |
| April 2, 2016 | the league | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 1-2 | — | 1 goal |
| November 21, 2015 | the league | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 0-4 | — | — |
| March 22, 2015 | the league | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 2-1 | 1 assist | 1 goal |
| November 18, 2014 | In t. friendly | Argentina-Portugal | 0-1 | — | — |
| October 25, 2014 | the league | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 3-1 | — | 1 goal |
| March 23, 2014 | the league | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 3-4 | 3 goals | 1 goal |
| October 26, 2013 | the league | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 2-1 | — | 1 assist |
| March 2, 2013 | the league | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 2-1 | 1 goal | — |
| February 26, 2013 | Copa del Rey | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 1-3 | — | 2 goals |
| January 30, 2013 | Copa del Rey | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 1-1 | 1 assist | — |
| October 7, 2012 | the league | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 2-2 | 2 goals | 2 goals |
| August 29, 2012 | Super Cup | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 2-1 | 1 goal | 1 goal |
| August 22, 2012 | Super Cup | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 3-2 | 1 goal | 1 goal |
| April 21, 2012 | the league | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 1-2 | — | 1 goal |
| January 25, 2012 | Copa del Rey | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 2-2 | 1 assist | 1 goal |
| January 18, 2012 | Copa del Rey | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 1-2 | 1 assist | 1 goal |
| December 10, 2011 | the league | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 1-3 | — | 1 assist |
| August 17, 2011 | Super Cup | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 3-2 | 2 goals, 1 assist | 1 goal |
| August 14, 2011 | Super Cup | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 2-2 | 1 goal, 1 assist | — |
| May 3, 2011 | Champions League | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 1-1 | — | — |
| April 27, 2011 | Champions League | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 0-2 | 2 goals | — |
| April 20, 2011 | Copa del Rey | Barcelona – Real Madrid (Neutral Stadium) | 0-1 | — | 1 goal |
| April 16, 2011 | the league | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 1-1 | 1 goal | 1 goal |
| February 9, 2011 | In t. friendly | Argentina-Portugal | 2-1 | 1 goal | 1 goal |
| November 29, 2010 | the league | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 5-0 | 2 assists | — |
| April 10, 2010 | the league | Real Madrid-Barcelona | 0-2 | 1 goal | — |
| November 29, 2009 | the league | Barcelona-Real Madrid | 1-0 | — | — |
| May 27, 2009 | Champions League | Man United – Barcelona (Neutral) | 2-0 | 1 goal | — |
| April 29, 2008 | Champions League | Manchester United-Barcelona | 1-0 | — | — |
| April 23, 2008 | Champions League | Barcelona-Man United | 0-0 | — | (1 missed penalty) |
| TOTAL | 18 wins 24 goals |
12 wins 24 goals |
