As things stand, there’s no ‘last dance’ and fans in Riyadh are heartbroken. The Riyadh Season’s Cup game between Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami was labelled as ‘The Last Dance’, for it could have been the last time the two greats of modern football were playing against each other. But Ronaldo is out, injured.
Stanley Jones has travelled all the way from the United States to watch the game. He didn’t hide his frustration.
“’It’s a horrible experience to know about Ronaldo’s absence immediately after arriving at the Riyadh airport. I was shattered. Yes, I have spent a huge amount of money for tickets and travel. But more than the money, it was my dream to watch Ronaldo play live, “ Jones said.
Christopher, an accounts manager from Sheffield, UK, is equally dejected. “I have seen the magician perform at the Theater of Dreams in Manchester. So that way, I’m fortunate. But I really wished to watch Ronaldo versus Messi in Riyadh,” he said.
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And then, there’s Annaiallah Suleman, a civil engineer from Baghdad, Iraq. In the absence of the Ronaldo versus Messi encounter, he would rather explore job opportunities in Riyadh.
Local fans echo the foreigners’ sentiments, although they have seen Ronaldo play for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Some are hoping against hope that the Portuguese superstar would still make an appearance for a short cameo.
Ronaldo’s absence, however, doesn’t affect the organisers financially, as the whole event is backed by the government. Just that, it takes the shine off tonight’s game.
(Ashish Pendse is in Riyadh, covering the trip exclusively for RevSportz)
Also Read: Ronaldo vs Messi: Stage set in Riyadh for ‘The Last Dance’