New Delhi: It would be a “dream” to see Lionel Messi accompany Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League for a final head-to-head match, according to Al-Ittifaq manager Steven Gerrard. Both Messi and Ronaldo left their careers in European football in 2022–2023 as the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr, while the latter joined Inter Miami of the Major League Soccer.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 03: Al-Nassr’s new forward Cristiano Ronaldo greets the fans during his unveiling at the Mrsool Park Stadium on January 3, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
It appears that those actions have put an end to one of the most famous rivalries in football history, as it is unlikely that either player would play for his countries in the 2026 World Cup. Before Messi decided to transfer stateside, Al-Hilal made an effort to get him to Saudi Arabia, but Gerrard isn’t giving up on seeing him play there and has even suggested his club as a potential landing site.
Messi at Al-Ettifaq would be my fantasy come true. “He is a fantastic player and would be a valuable addition to the team,” the former captain of Liverpool. Further more Gerrard also understood the inconvinience that Messi might face adapting to the Saudi system and other external elements.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – AUGUST 02: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF celebrates his 2nd goal during the Leagues Cup 2023 match against Orlando City SC (1) and Inter Miami CF (3) at the DRV PNK Stadium on August 2nd, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)
When asked which player of the two was the best of his generation, Gerrard remained unmoved, stating, “Both Cristiano and Messi are incredible players with incredible stories in football.”
Ronaldo didn’t have the best Euro 2024 campaign with Portugal, but he led the Saudi Pro League in goals scored in just 31 games in 2023–2024. Despite hitting a competition-high 23 shots, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner just couldn’t score a goal at a major international tournament for the first time in 11 attempts. A goal would’ve declared him the oldest ever goalscorer in Euros history, a record which was earlier broken by Luka Modric in this Euro campaign.
Messi, on the other hand, has not scored in his three Copa America outings for Argentina this year. However, with Argentina playing Canada in the semifinals on Tuesday, Messi still has a chance to win a third straight international competition.
Steven Gerrard had some kind words to say as he stated that Lionel Messi playing in the Saudi Pro league, to re ignite the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry would be a dream. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
