(Riyadh) What was hyped as a potential final meeting between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did not materialize on Thursday in what was an easy 6-0 victory for Al-Nassr against Inter Miami .
Messi only played for the final seven minutes, looking increasingly sullen, while Al-Nassr was cheered on by a Ronaldo sitting high up at the Kingdom Arena, recovering from a calf injury.
Messi and Ronaldo have been longtime rivals in Spain — playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively.
One or the other has won 13 of the last 15 Ballon d’Or awards, given to the best player in the world.
Al-Nassr scored three goals in the first 12 minutes.
Inter Miami lost 4-3 to Al-Hilal on Monday, as their tour of Saudi Arabia began.
The club’s preparatory schedule also includes a match in Hong Kong on Sunday and in Japan three days later.
Inter Miami’s regular season begins on February 21 at home against Real Salt Lake.