Cristiano Ronaldo watches as Al Nassr thrash Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 6-0

Injury rules Portuguese striker out of potential last meeting with Argentina superstar

Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo is introduced to fans before the Riyadh Season Cup match against Inter Miami at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AFP

A football fan poses for a "selfie" picture with a flag depicting Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo waves to spectators. The Al Nassr captain was ruled out of the match against Inter Miami through injury. AFP

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr displayed on the main screen at Kingdom Arena. The two were denied a potential last-ever meeting on the pitch due to Ronaldo's injury. AFP

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in the stands before the match. Reuters

Fans sporting the jersey's Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi. Getty

Inter Miami's Argentine coach Gerardo Martino gives last-minute instructions to Lionel Messi before his introduction as a late substitute. Al Nassr won the match 6-0. AFP

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami in action with Mohammed Qasem of Al Nassr. EPA

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi embraces Al Nassr defender Mohammed Al Fatil at the final whistle. AFP

Anderson Talisca of Al Nassr controls the ball. Getty

Al Nassr's Anderson Talisca scores their fourth goal from the penalty spot. Reuters

Anderson Talisca of Al-Nassr celebrates scoring his team's sixth goal to complete his hat-trick. Getty

Al Nassr's Portuguese midfielder Otavio vies for the ball against Inter Miami's Brazilian midfielder Gregore. AFP

Players intervene in an argument between Inter Miami's Spanish defender Jordi Alba and Al Nassr's Portuguese midfielder Otavio. AFP

Otavio of Al Nassr in action against Jordi Alba and Noah Allen of Inter Miami. EPA

Aymeric Laporte of Al Nassr celebrates scoring his team's third goal, a superb free kick from inside his own half. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo was denied a potential last-ever duel with longtime rival Lionel Messi, but he can take comfort in knowing he may have had the last laugh after seeing his Al Nassr teammates thrash Messi's Inter Miami.

Ronaldo's calf injury prompted Al Nassr to cancel their two-game China tour last week and it ruled him out of Thursday's high-profile friendly in Riyadh.

The pair have won a combined 13 Ballon d'Ors between them, with Messi taking home the prize for a record eighth time last year. Their most recent meeting came in January 2023 when Ronaldo played in a Saudi Pro League select team beaten 5-4 by Messi's former club Paris Saint-Germain.

With Ronaldo sidelined and messi reduced to a late substitute appearance, Brazilian Talisca took centre stage with a hat-trick as the Saudi club demolished their MLS visitors 6-0 at Kingdom Arena.

Otavio drilled in the opener as Miami lost the ball trying to play out from the back, bringing Ronaldo to his feet to applaud from the stands.

A sliding Talisca turned in Al Nassr's second as the visitors again paid the price for conceding possession near their own box.

Aymeric Laporte scored the goal of the night, catching Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender off his line as he belted in a long-range free-kick from deep inside his own half.

Talisca got his second from the penalty spot minutes after half time and Mohammed Maran looped in a header to compound Miami's misery.

The American side were clearly feeling the effects of a globe-trotting pre-season tour, but the gulf in class was also stark, despite the presence of former Barcelona stars Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Talisca completed his treble and performed Ronaldo's signature celebration, before Messi trotted on for the final seven minutes with his team trailing by six goals.

Miami continue their preparations for the new MLS season, which starts February 21, by heading to Asia for games in Hong Kong and Japan.