Last week, Lionel Messi stopped his car in the middle of Miami traffic to sign a fan's Argentina jersey and then christened a new Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Now, he’s on the other side of the world with Inter Miami prepared to play in two matches during the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Inter Miami faces Al-Hilal at 1 p.m. ET Monday, continuing their worldwide preseason tour to promote the club and Major League Soccer behind Messi’s celebrity, while preparing for the 2024 MLS season.

“Leo Messi is the best player in the world and his presence in the match makes the event and the match exceptional,” Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said in a press conference on Sunday.

The match will be the third match of the preseason for Inter Miami – before Messi plays against Ronaldo’s club, Al-Nassr, Thursday. Ronaldo has a calf injury, and his status for the match against Messi is in question.

How to watch Inter Miami in Saudi Arabia?

The Inter Miami match against Al-Hilal on Monday at 1 p.m. ET is available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Inter Miami’s match against Al Nassr is on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET also is available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Leo Messi continues to be big business worldwide

Before arriving in Saudi Arabia, Messi helped Inter Miami debut their 2024 La Noche black jersey during a promotional event with corporate sponsor Royal Caribbean aboard the new Icon of the Seas cruise ship.

It was also announced Messi will star in a Michelob Ultra Super Bowl commercial, which will air during the NFL’s championship game on Feb. 11.

Messi was also featured in an advertisement promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia this week.

Will Ronaldo play against Messi in Riyadh Season Cup again?

The match was initially dubbed “The Last Dance” and could be the final match between Messi and Ronaldo in their distinguished careers.

But it’s unclear how fit Ronaldo will be for Thursday’s match against Inter Miami at the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia.

“So, as you can see, I feel sad. I know you are sad, too, especially the people who love Cristiano,” Ronaldo said during a news conference last week, announcing his calf injury and the cancelation of two Al-Nassr preseason matches in China.

Can Messi, Inter Miami beat shorthanded Al-Hilal?

Messi and Inter Miami are scoreless through two preseason matches, a scoreless draw against El Salvador Jan. 19 and a 1-0 loss to FC Dallas last Monday.

But they could score a preseason win this Monday against Al Hilal, which is missing several players who are playing with national teams in the Asian Cup and African Cup of Nations.  

Inter Miami’s preseason has been centered around the arrival of former FC Barcelona standout Luis Suarez joining his former teammates Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, while MLS Cup winner Julian Gressel is also a newcomer.

And, of course, Inter Miami’s preseason tour, which features more than 25,000 miles of travel worldwide. The club will finish its tour with a friendly in Hong Kong on Feb. 4 and Tokyo on Feb. 7.

What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?

  • Inter Miami vs. Al Hilal SFC at Kingdom Arena (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Monday at 1 p.m. ET.
  • Messi vs. Ronaldo: Inter Miami vs. Al Nassr FC at Kingdom Arena (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
  • Inter Miami vs. Hong Kong Team at Hong Kong Stadium (Hong Kong) on Feb. 4 (time TBA).
  • Inter Miami vs. Vissel Kobe at Japan National Stadium (Tokyo) on Feb. 7 (time TBA).
  • Inter Miami vs. Newell’s Old Boys at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) on Feb. 15 (time TBA). This is Inter Miami’s final preseason match.
  • Inter Miami begins the 2024 MLS regular season against Real Salt Lake at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) on Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. ET.

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