Hesgoal – The anticipated clash between Inter Miami and Al Nassr in the 2024 Riyadh Cup has stirred discussions, particularly due to the involvement of football superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in this pre-season match.

However, recent developments reveal that the scheduled encounter between Al Nassr and Inter Miami in the Riyadh Cup has been debunked. Rumors had circulated that the match would take place in February as part of the Riyadh Season Cup, promising a final showdown between Messi and Ronaldo. Unfortunately, Inter Miami has denied the validity of these rumors.

Inter Miami’s Sporting Director, Chris Henderson, refuted the claims, stating, “There’s nothing confirmed. We’re still working on our pre-season plans,” in response to inquiries from the Associated Press.

Henderson shared that the team, whose MLS season kicks off in late February, intends to play four to six friendly matches, spanning both the U.S. and overseas. Despite logistical challenges preventing two earlier matches in China, Henderson expressed the team’s growing global presence, acknowledging, “I really feel like I became a global club overnight.”

He highlighted the global attention on Inter Miami, presenting numerous opportunities such as tours and pre-season engagements. Saudi Arabia, in particular, has been actively positioning itself as a significant player in world football, securing notable signings. However, these efforts were insufficient to lure Messi to the oil-rich kingdom.

Following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi opted for a move to MLS instead of Saudi Arabia. While Messi participated in the Riyadh Seasons Cup with PSG last season, facing Ronaldo after the latter’s unexpected move to Al Nassr, recent events indicate that the much-anticipated Messi-Ronaldo showdown may not materialize.

This disappointment stems from Inter Miami and Al Nassr failing to reach an agreement. The news is disheartening for global football enthusiasts who were eagerly anticipating the potential final duel between two of the greatest footballers of our time.

In a separate development, Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al Nassr and Portugal, has equaled Erling Haaland as the top scorer in 2023. Ronaldo’s recent performance against Al Akhdoud showcased his brilliance, scoring two goals in three minutes and contributing to Al Nassr’s 3-0 victory.

Ronaldo’s first goal, in the 77th minute, displayed his precision and control as he maneuvered in the penalty box before firing a precise shot. The second goal, three minutes later, was a remarkable lob from over 40 yards, solidifying Ronaldo’s position as the leading scorer in the 2023-2024 Saudi Arabian League with 15 goals by the 14th week.

The impact of Ronaldo’s stellar performances extends beyond individual achievements, as Al Nassr remains undefeated in 19 consecutive matches, with 18 victories. Under Luis Castro’s leadership, the team currently holds second place in the standings with 34 points, trailing only one point behind Al Hilal, who have yet to play their 14th match.

Cristiano Ronaldo Leads Scoring Chart in 2023-2024 Saudi Arabian League

Cristiano Ronaldo maintains his position at the top of the temporary goal-scorers’ list for the 2023-2024 Saudi Arabian League, having netted an impressive 15 goals by the end of the 14th week. The Portuguese superstar’s goal-scoring prowess places him ahead of his competitors, with Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al Hilal) following closely with 10 goals.

Securing the third spot among the temporary top scorers is Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad), who has accumulated 8 goals. Unfortunately, the French striker was unable to find the back of the net in the 14th week, preventing him from matching the goal tally of his former Real Madrid teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sharing the third position with Benzema are two other players, Anderson Talisca (Al Nassr) and Bernard Mensah (Al Tai), both boasting 8 goals each. Additionally, three players have scored 7 goals each, namely Mourad Batna (Al Fateh), Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal), and Moussa Dembele (Al Ettifaq).

vIn the overall standings of the 2023-2024 Saudi Arabian League until Week 14, Al Hilal continues to dominate with 35 points, leading by just one point over second-placed Al Nassr, led by Neymar Junior and his teammates. Al Ahli occupies the third position with 26 points, closely followed by Al Ittihad in fourth place with 25 points.

Here is the list of top scorers in the Saudi Arabian League 2023-2024 until Week 14:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr: 15 goals
2. Aleksandar Mitrovic, Al Hilal: 10 goals
3. Karim Benzema, Al Ittihad: 8 goals
4. Anderson Talisca, Al Nassr: 8 goals
5. Bernard Mensah, Al Tai: 8 goals
6. Mourad Batna, Al Fateh: 7 goals
7. Salem Al Dawsari, Al Hilal: 7 goals
8. Moussa Dembele, Al Ettifaq: 7 goals