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It was supposed to be the cinematic finale of the greatest rivalry in sports history. The "Last Dance." One final showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo under the bright lights of Riyadh. Fans paid thousands of dollars, some dropping over $11,000 for premium seats, just to catch a glimpse of the two titans sharing a pitch for potentially the last time ever.
Instead, what they got was a 6-0 demolition that felt more like a training drill than a clash of civilizations.
If you followed the Al Nassr vs Inter Miami saga, you know the disappointment was palpable. The marketing machine had spent weeks churning out hype, but the reality on February 1, 2024, was far grimmer. Ronaldo was stuck in the stands with a calf injury, looking on with a smirk as his teammates dismantled the MLS side. Messi, nursing his own "discomfort" (later revealed as a hamstring issue), sat on the bench for 83 minutes, only coming on for a meaningless cameo when the score was already a humiliating 6-0.
The Night the Hype Died
Let's be honest. Inter Miami looked completely out of their depth. While the Saudi Pro League is often dismissed as a "retirement home" by Western critics, this match told a very different story. Within 12 minutes, the game was over.
- 3rd minute: Otavio curls a beauty into the top corner. 1-0.
- 10th minute: Anderson Talisca taps in a cross. 2-0.
- 12th minute: Aymeric Laporte scores a goal from his own half. 3-0.
That Laporte goal was the moment the world realized Inter Miami wasn't just losing; they were being embarrassed. Laporte spotted Drake Callender off his line and launched a free kick from about 60 yards out. The ball sailed over the back-pedaling keeper and into the net. The cameras immediately panned to Ronaldo, who was jumping out of his seat in the VIP box, and then to Messi, whose face was a mask of pure disbelief.
Why was it such a blowout?
You've gotta look at the context here. Al Nassr was in the middle of their season. They were sharp, fit, and technically cohesive. Inter Miami, meanwhile, was in the middle of a grueling 23,000-mile preseason world tour. They had already lost to Al Hilal 4-3 and looked physically spent before the whistle even blew.
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Luis Suarez, who started the match, looked every bit his 37 years. He was sluggish. He was offside. He missed a volley that a younger Suarez would have buried in his sleep. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were there, sure, but they couldn't control a midfield that was being overrun by Marcelo Brozovic and Otavio.
Al Nassr vs Inter Miami: The Talisca Show
While the world wanted Messi and Ronaldo, Anderson Talisca decided to make the night his own. The Brazilian didn't just score a hat-trick; he taunted the Miami bench by performing Ronaldo's signature "Siuuuu" celebration after his third goal.
It was a statement.
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Talisca has been one of the most underrated players outside of Europe for years, and he treated the Miami defense like a bunch of amateurs. He scored a penalty in the 51st minute and finished his hat-trick in the 73rd after a VAR check. By the time Mohammed Maran headed in the fifth goal in the 68th minute, the Kingdom Arena was chanting for Messi just to see something happen.
When Tata Martino finally sent Messi on in the 83rd minute, it felt almost cruel. The greatest player of all time was running around in a 6-0 game against a team that didn't even have their best player on the field. It was a "testimonial" appearance in a game that had long since lost its competitive edge.
What This Result Actually Meant for Soccer
This wasn't just a friendly. It was a referendum on the quality of MLS versus the Saudi Pro League. For years, American fans have argued that MLS is the superior "growing" league. But getting thrashed 6-0 by a team missing Ronaldo, Sadio Mane (who was at the Asian Cup), and several other starters is a tough pill to swallow.
The Guardian even called the Inter Miami tour a "circus." The team was traveling too much, selling too many tickets, and playing too little actual soccer.
Hard Truths from the Match
- Defense wins nothing: Inter Miami conceded 10 goals in two games in Saudi Arabia. Their backline, led by Serhiy Kryvtsov and Tomas Aviles, was porous.
- The "Last Dance" may never happen: With both players now in their late 30s and playing on different continents, the chances of a true 1v1 competitive match are dwindling to zero.
- Depth is the difference: Al Nassr's local players and secondary stars (Maran, Al-Aliwa) looked far better than Miami's supporting cast.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 6-0 Scoreline
A lot of people looked at that score and thought Al Nassr was just "better." That's a simplification. You have to account for the fact that Inter Miami was playing their fourth game in a different time zone in two weeks. They were jet-lagged and essentially using these games as high-paid cardio sessions.
However, the lack of pride was what shocked most analysts. Busquets getting a yellow card for a frustrated foul in the first half showed the mental state of the team. They were annoyed. They didn't want to be there.
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On the flip side, Al Nassr treated it like a Champions League final. They wanted to prove that the Saudi league is the real deal. In 2026, we’re seeing the fruit of that labor as Ronaldo continues to break scoring records in the SPL, while Messi’s Miami has focused more on dominating the MLS regular season.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're still debating the merits of these two leagues or looking back at this match as a turning point, keep these points in mind:
- Don't overvalue preseason: Preseason results are notorious for being misleading. Inter Miami went on to have a strong MLS start despite this "disaster."
- Respect the SPL’s ceiling: The top four teams in Saudi Arabia (Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli) are arguably at the level of mid-to-lower table Premier League teams.
- Watch the "Supporting Cast": Stop focusing only on the #10 and #7. The reason Al Nassr won was because of Brozovic and Talisca.
For those looking to catch the next potential meeting, keep an eye on the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup schedules. While a direct Al Nassr vs Inter Miami rematch isn't currently on the books, both teams are constantly looking for high-profile exhibition opportunities to monetize their legendary rosters. Check official club apps and the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV for upcoming tour announcements, but maybe temper your expectations next time the "Last Dance" label gets slapped on a friendly.