Club Friendlies : Inter Miami vs Al Nassr Preview, Lineups, Match Info and Time

Inter Miami vs Al Nassr
MATCH INFO
MATCH :	Inter Miami vs Al Nassr
COMPETITION :	Club Friendlies
DATE:	01-02-2024
TIME:	11.30 PM IST (UTC +5:30) 10.00 PM UAE
STADIUM	Kingdom Arena

Match Live Info

FULL TIME

Inter Miami 0 - 6  Al Nassr

info

Prediction and Preview

Inter Miami  2 - 2  Al Nassr

Predicted Lineups

       

Inter Miami possible starting lineup: (3-5-2):

Callender; Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Aviles, McVey, Allen; Gressel, Ruiz, Busquets; Messi, Suarez

Al Nassr predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Alaqidi; Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Laporte, Telles; Brozovic, Fofana; Talisca, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo

Lionel Messi's inaugural half-season with Inter Miami was nothing short of extraordinary, featuring a Leagues Cup triumph securing a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup and clinching an unprecedented eighth Ballon d'Or award. Notably, Messi, the 2022 FIFA World Cup champion with Argentina, displayed his prowess with 11 goals and 8 assists in 14 appearances across all competitions, making history as the first active MLS player to win the prestigious individual accolade.

The anticipation is now palpable as Messi welcomes his former FC Barcelona strike partner, Luis Suárez, to south Florida. Suárez, recently named the Best Player and Best Striker in the Brazilian first division, played a pivotal role in Grêmio's dual title triumphs last year. Joining Messi and Suárez in Inter Miami's formidable lineup are midfielder Sergio Busquets and left-back Jordi Alba, both expected to play crucial roles under head coach Tata Martino. The team's depth also includes promising talents like homegrown midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi and goalkeeper Drake Callender, who made waves as breakout stars in 2023.

In contrast, Al Nassr, currently positioned second in the Saudi Pro League behind Al Hilal, is striving for domestic success. The club, with its eyes on the AFC Champions League, boasts a star-studded roster led by the charismatic Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Ronaldo's availability for the upcoming friendly against Inter Miami is uncertain due to a calf injury, a setback that prompted the cancellation of China-based friendlies. Sadio Mané, formerly of Liverpool fame, adds to Al Nassr's star power, having represented Senegal in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Apart from Ronaldo and Mané, Al Nassr features former European stars, including ex-Manchester City center-back Aymeric Laporte, ex-Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozović, and ex-Porto midfielder Otávio.

The lingering question remains: Will Cristiano Ronaldo play against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami? Al-Nassr is likely to assess Ronaldo's fitness closer to the game day, with indications suggesting a relatively minor injury that may see him back in action on February 1. Despite the setback, Ronaldo has expressed his eagerness to return to the field and apologized to Chinese fans for the postponed games.

The last encounter between Ronaldo and Messi took place on January 19, 2023, during a clash between Paris Saint-Germain and a Saudi All-Star team. The game ended 5-4 in favor of PSG, with both players leaving their mark on the scoreline, reminiscing about the days when their showdowns were a regular feature in La Liga before Ronaldo's departure for Juventus in 2018.

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