Inter Miami faces the second leg of its tour of Saudi Arabia when the MLS side take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr on February 1.
The clash has been billed as a reunion of old enemies Lionel Messi and Ronaldo, with both players now active outside of European football.
Inter Miami are preparing for the start of the 2024 MLS season but are winless in three friendlies, including a 4-3 defeat at Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal.
Team news
Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino could stay with the unchanged team from the loss to Al Hilal with Messi partnered in attack by Luis Suarez.
The match is Al Nassr’s first game back in action since their mid-season break with Luis Castro’s side, who are currently second in the Saudi Pro League.
There are no fresh injuries in his squad, but Castro is without some key names due to the AFC Asian Cup and the African Cup of Nations.
Although Saudi Arabia were knocked out at the round of 16 stage, several players are still traveling back from Qatar, with Sadio Mane missing following Senegal’s exit from AFCON.
Cristiano Ronaldo was set to captain Al Nassr for this match as part of his preparations for the new season, but head coach Castro has now confirmed that the game came too soon and he is set to sit out the game with a calf injury.
Inter Miami (3-5-2): Callender (GK) — Allen, Aviles, Kryvtsov , Alba Gressel,Gregore Busquets, Ruiz, — Suarez, Campana.
Al Nassr (4-2-3-1): Ospina(GK) — Al-Ghannam, Laporte, Alamri, Telles — Brozovic, Al-Khaibari — Talisca, Otavio, Maran — Al Namer.
Prediction: Inter Miami 2-2 Al Nassr
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