Ronaldo vs Messi 'Last Dance' is off: Will they play each other again after 2024 Al Nassr vs Inter Miami match?

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 will host Inter Miami and Lionel Messi as part of the Riyadh Season Cup at the Kingdom Arena on February 1. Unfortunately for fans around the world — and for the competition's organisers — it was confirmed the day before that Cristiano Ronaldo's recent injury would prevent him from playing against his old rival.

When the game was announced, Turki Alalshikh, the head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, posted on social media to dub the 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 they get a 38th?

MORE: Messi vs Ronaldo tickets: How to buy for Al Nassr vs Inter Miami match

Ronaldo vs Messi 'Last Dance': Will they play each other again?

The scheduled match between Al Nassr and Inter Miami on February 1 was very possibly the last meeting between Ronaldo and Messi, 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 La Liga, 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.

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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.

While this month's "Last Dance" has been rendered impossible, 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: Head-to-head record

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.

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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.