Lionel Messi was subject to a brutal takedown by a Saudi adviser after he didn't make Inter Miami's starting XI to face Al-Nassr, before losing 6-0.
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- Ronaldo missed friendly clash through injury
- Messi missed starting XI through knock of his own
- Inter Miami star mocked after 6-0 thrashing
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Both the Portuguese and Argentine superstars were missing from Thursday's friendly clash through injury, in what had originally been dubbed the eternal rivals' 'Last Dance'. Messi was eventually brought on for Miami but was powerless as his side fell to an embarrassing 6-0 defeat, which naturally made him the brunt of jokes from the Middle East.
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WHAT THE SAUDI ADVISER SAID
Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, said live on : "It seems like he [Messi] knew that Cristiano Ronaldo was injured and he knew that Al Nassr would [makes a whipping gesture]. So he avoided losing against Al Nassr without Cristiano. Saudi Arabia has become Messi's curse."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
It certainly was a night to forget for Miami and Messi. Aymeric Laporte scored a jaw-dropping long-range screamer while Anderson Talisca posted a hat-trick before hitting Ronaldo's famous 'Siuu' celebration in front of the Herons bench. Goals for Otavio and Mohammed Maran rounded out a convincing 6-0 victory, much to the delight of their captain who was watching on from the stands.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will hope to shake off any semblance of a knock and help get Miami back to winning ways. Tata Martino's side lost three and drew one of their pre-season fixtures this calendar year, and haven't recorded a victory since a 4-0 blitz of Toronto on September 20, 2023.
