The clock is ticking as fans await the highly-anticipated clash between Al Nassr and Inter Miami. Soccer’s two biggest icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo look set to share the stage once again with the game being billed as ‘The Last Dance’. However, recent developments could pour a cold bucket of water over everyone’s expectations. Al Nassr skipper Cristiano Ronaldo has been out with an injury for a while now, and from the looks of it, the player could miss the game against his eternal rival!

Things have not gone as planned for Al Nassr forced to cancel their scheduled tour of China owing to their captain’s injury. The Portuguese superstar has been facing muscular issues for a while now. Ronaldo has also been absent from Al Nassr’s recent training sessions, raising a massive question: Will Cristiano Ronaldo take to the field on the 1st of February?

Clouds of uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation

It is very important to note that Cristiano Ronaldo is not 100% fit. If he was, Al Nassr would have never cancelled their tour of China. However, while the player could recover from the injury in the coming days, there are some worrisome factors to consider.

Cristiano’s side was supposed to play two friendlies in China on the 24th and the 28th of January. The Portuguese star could have worked out the second date if he managed to recover in time even if he took to the game off the bench. Al Nassr’s decision to scrap their plans altogether raises multiple questions.

It has also been reported that the player could take two weeks to find complete recovery. While the game against Inter Miami is a game for the ages, the Middle Eastern side will also be eyeing their SPL return with the team chasing table-toppers Al-Hilal for the league title. With a lot of consideration, it looks like Al Nassr could rest Cristiano Ronaldo for the game. While this could be disappointing for the fans, the team has every right to focus on the greater good.

READ MORE: 2 Reasons Why Al Nassr vs Inter Miami Won’t Be Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi’s ‘Last Dance’

Will the ‘The Last Dance’ match expectations?

Expectations are running high as Al Nassr takes on Inter Miami on the 1st of February. Both sides are putting in the work to prepare for the game as fans are eagerly waiting for the sides to lock horns against each other. However, there is a section of fans who believe that there is a lot of hype for the game, which could see the reality fall flat on its face.

While there are some concerns surrounding the quality of the game, it’s important to note that both Inter Miami and Al Nassr are no longer the teams they used to be. Following the arrival of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both clubs have done a respectable job in bolstering their ranks.

Inter Miami apart from La Pulga has roped in the likes of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez. They’re all the ex-Barcelona players, match winners in their own right.

Al Nassr on the other hand have a plethora of European superstars at their disposal with the likes of Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte, Sadio Mane, Otavio, and Alex Telles signing with the side last summer.

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The presence of these players alone has what it takes to make the game a blockbuster. Add in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, no matter their age, the game has the perfect recipe for being billed as the greatest game of the year.