Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are currently the two best players in the world, delighting fans with a rivalry that always puts them in the spotlight. For several years, both were the main representatives of LaLiga with Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively; however, since 2018 and 2021 they decided to embark on new challenges.

Currently, the Portuguese forward dazzles with his quality at Al-Nassr in the Roshn Saudi League, while Messi plays in the MLS with Inter Miami, where he shares the dressing room with Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez, former Barcelona stars.

Many have awaited a "Last Dance" between both football superstars with their new teams before they retire, and when it seemed it would happen next February 1, Luis Castro - Al-Nassr's head coach - informed that CR7 will not play the match because he is in the final phase of his recovery.

What happened the last time they played?

A year ago, on January 19, 2023, was the last time we could enjoy both football stars facing each other on a football field, in the match between Riyadh All Stars vs PSG, which was Cristiano Ronaldo's debut in Saudi Arabia.

In that match, the Parisian team emerged victorious with a high score of 5-4. Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappé, Hugo Ekitike, and - obviously - Messi scored, with the Rosario star being the first to find the net just three minutes into the game.

On the other hand, for the Saudi league representative team, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace (34 'and 45 + 6'), with the other two goals for Riyadh All Stars coming from Jang Hyun-Soo and Anderson Talisca.

Cristiano Ronaldo's brace started with a penalty he converted after deceiving his former Real Madrid teammate, Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, with a powerful shot to the right. The other goal he scored during the match was thanks to a fortunate rebound - and a mistake by Sergio Ramos in defense - after a header that hit the post.

Although the current world champion won the game, in terms of goals, the Portuguese star demonstrated more effectiveness, as he ended last year as the top scorer with 54 goals converted. Meanwhile, Messi concluded 2023 with 28 goals (8 with Argentina, 9 with PSG, and 11 with Inter Miami).