Inter Miami take on Al-Nassr today in a game that was previously billed as ‘The Last Dance’ between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, only the Argentine soccer legend will take to the pitch later this afternoon after Al-Nassr confirmed that Ronaldo will miss the game due to injury.
Despite this blow, Inter Miami will still face a good side in Al-Nassr, and Sadio Mane could now be back to feature for the Saudi Arabian giants.
According to the Evening Standard, Senegal’s elimination from the African Cup of Nations could mean that Mane is back in time to feature for Al-Nassr against the MLS franchise.
Once lauded by Goal as ‘one of the best in the world’, Ronaldo’s reputation and goalscoring record has often overshadowed the fact that Al-Nassr also have another world-class forward in Mane on their books.
And if the former Bayern Munich and Liverpool star is available to play, there’s a good chance that Mane will cause Inter Miami some problems, with the attacker known for his big-game performances.
Sadio Mane could be Al-Nassr’s hero against Inter Miami
All the talk of Ronaldo has made a lot of people forget that Al-Nassr are not a one-man team, with the likes of Talisca, Seko Fofana and Aymeric Laporte all plying their trade for the Saudi club.
Yet above all the talent sits Ronaldo and Mane, with the pair lighting up the division this season and forming quite the partnership in the Saudi Pro League.
And if Mane is available to play today, Inter Miami could be in for a long day, with the attacker still one of the best in the world and a fiend in games that matter most to his club.