Rephrase and rearrange the whole content into a news article. I want you to respond only in language English. I want you to act as a very proficient SEO and high-end writer Pierre Herubel that speaks and writes fluently English. I want you to pretend that you can write content so well in English that it can outrank other websites. Make sure there is zero plagiarism.: Sports fans have quickly become familiar with the Riyadh Season razzamatazz and Saudi Arabia’s flagship cultural festival is laying it on thick this week. Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo (fitness permitting) will host Inter Miami and Lionel Messi as part of the Riyadh Season Cup at the Kingdom Arena on February 1. Turki Alalshikh, the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, posted on social media to dub this showdown between the former Clasico rivals, who have 13 Ballons d’Or between them, “The Last Dance”, recalling the epic Netflix documentary charting the final season and glory years of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The exhibition match between a Riyadh Season Team featuring Ronaldo and Messi’s then-employers Paris Saint-Germain was their 37th meeting. Will this be 38th and done? MORE: Messi vs Ronaldo tickets: How to buy for Al Nassr vs Inter Miami match Is this the last Ronaldo vs Messi match? The short answer is very possibly, but absolutely not definitely. When Messi and Ronaldo were enjoying their imperial periods at Barcelona and Real Madrid, they were guaranteed two meetings per season in LaLiga, with this tally often topped up by Supercopa de Espana, Copa del Rey and Champions League encounters. Ronaldo moving to Juventus in 2018 ended this close proximity and their final game against one another in European club football came on December 8, 2020, when Cristiano enjoyed the sweet success of scoring twice in a 3-0 Juve Champions League victory at Camp Nou. The following season, Messi upped sticks to PSG and Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United. These were ultimately unsatisfactory final chapters in Europe that effectively closed the book on any more competitive club encounters. However, a glance at Al Nassr and Inter Miami’s early-year schedules shows that money-spinning exhibition games are very much built into the business model, especially with two of the biggest stars in the history of the sport on the payroll. Sure, this is the “Last Dance” for now, but it would take a brave person to back against another Riyadh Season matchup. If not next year, then maybe in 2026, when both veterans are likely to be gearing up for their final crack at the greatest prize of all. Messi will turn 39 during the 2026 World Cup as Argentina defend their title, while Ronaldo will be into his fifth decade. Nevertheless, both men’s incredible longevity means participating at the tournament is very much on the cards. An Argentina vs. Portugal showdown including the two veterans might be the most fitting sign-off of all. MORE: Messi & Ronaldo: Destination Mundial | Charting Cristiano and Leo’s incredible journey to the World Cup in Qatar Ronaldo vs Messi: How many times have they met? Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have met 34 times in club competitions, plus last season’s exhibition in Riyadh. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of these games took place within the white-hot intensity of El Clasico. The pair have also faced each other for their international teams twice. Both occasions were international friendlies. In February 2011, Argentina beat Portugal 2-1 in Geneva, with both players netting a goal. Portugal got their revenge in November 2014 with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford, although neither player scored. The pair have never met for their international sides in a competitive fixture. Fingers crossed for 2026… Tantalisingly, if we count the 5-4 ding-dong from Riyadh Season 12 months ago, across the course of their career encounters with one another, Messi and Ronaldo have 24 goals apiece in these matches. Date Competition Match Result Messi Ronaldo Jan. 19. 2023 Exhibition Riyadh Season Team – PSG 4-5 1 goal 2 goals Dec. 8, 2020 Champions League Barcelona – Juventus 0-3 — 2 goals May 6, 2018 La Liga Barcelona – Real Madrid 2-2 1 goal 1 goal Dec. 23, 2017 La Liga Real Madrid – Barcelona 0-3 — 1 goal, 1 assist Aug. 13, 2017 Supercopa Barcelona – Real Madrid 1-3 1 goal 1 goal Apr. 23, 2017 La Liga Real Madrid – Barcelona 2-3 2 goals — Dec. 3, 2016 La Liga Barcelona – Real Madrid 1-1 — — Apr. 2, 2016 La Liga Barcelona – Real Madrid 1-2 — 1 goal Nov. 21, 2015 La Liga Real Madrid – Barcelona 0-4 — — Mar. 22, 2015 La Liga Barcelona – Real Madrid 2-1 1 assist 1 goal Nov. 18, 2014 Int. friendly Argentina – Portugal 0-1 — — Oct. 25, 2014 La Liga Real Madrid – Barcelona 3-1 — 1 goal Mar. 23, 2014 La Liga Real Madrid – Barcelona 3-4 3 goals 1 goal Oct. 26, 2013 La Liga Barcelona – Real Madrid 2-1 — 1 assist Mar. 2, 2013 La Liga Real Madrid – Barcelona 2-1 1 goal — Feb. 26, 2013 Copa del Rey Barcelona – Real Madrid 1-3 — 2 goals Jan. 30, 2013 Copa del Rey Real Madrid – Barcelona 1-1 1 assist — Oct. 7, 2012 La Liga Barcelona – Real Madrid 2-2 2 goals 2 goals Aug. 29, 2012 Supercopa Real Madrid – Barcelona 2-1 1 goal 1 goal Aug. 22, 2012 Supercopa Barcelona – Real Madrid 3-2 1 goal 1 goal Apr. 21, 2012 La Liga Barcelona – Real Madrid 1-2 — 1 goal Jan. 25, 2012 Copa del Rey Barcelona – Real Madrid 2-2 1 assist 1 goal Jan. 18, 2012 Copa del Rey Real Madrid – Barcelona 1-2 1 assist 1 goal Dec. 10, 2011 La Liga Real Madrid – Barcelona 1-3 — 1 assist Aug. 17, 2011 Supercopa Barcelona – Real Madrid 3-2 2 goals, 1 assist 1 goal Aug. 14, 2011 Supercopa Real Madrid – Barcelona 2-2 1 goal, 1 assist — May 3, 2011 Champions League Barcelona – Real Madrid 1-1 — — Apr. 27, 2011 Champions League Real Madrid – Barcelona 0-2 2 goals — Apr. 20, 2011 Copa del Rey Barcelona – Real Madrid (Neutral Stadium) 0-1 — 1 goal Apr. 16, 2011 La Liga Real Madrid – Barcelona 1-1 1 goal 1 goal Feb, 9, 2011 Int. friendly Argentina – Portugal 2-1 1 goal 1 goal Nov. 29, 2010 La Liga Barcelona – Real Madrid 5-0 2 assists — Apr. 10, 2010 La Liga Real Madrid – Barcelona 0-2 1 goal — Nov. 29, 2009 La Liga Barcelona – Real Madrid 1-0 — — May 27, 2009 Champions League Man United – Barcelona (Neutral) 2-0 1 goal — Apr. 29, 2008 Champions League Man United – Barcelona 1-0 — — Apr. 23, 2008 Champions League Barcelona – Man United 0-0 — (1 missed penalty) TOTAL 18 wins 24 goals 12 wins 24 goals
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