Comparing Messi’s MLS debut to Ronaldo’s first game in Saudi Pro League

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to dominate even in the latter stages of their careers.

They still reign supreme, recently winning titles in the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Messi dazzled on his MLS debut on Saturday, scoring a late goal in the win against the New York Red Bulls.

Sports Brief compares that showing to Ronaldo’s performance in his first league game for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Messi’s MLS debut

Saturday’s match between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls was highly anticipated as it marked Messi’s MLS debut.

He had already played eight matches for the Herons since moving to the United States, but all of them were in cup competitions.

He played seven games in the Leagues Cup, scoring 10 goals in that tournament to lead Inter Miami to their first-ever title.

He followed that championship win with an appearance in the U.S. Open Cup semi-final.

The 36-year-old helped the Herons record a stunning comeback, delivering two assists in the second half to force extra time in a match they would eventually win 5-4 on penalties.

The stage was set then for Messi to dazzle the crowd in New Jersey for his first official MLS game.

Fans were disappointed at the start, however, as Messi was named on the substitutes’ bench for the clash against the Red Bulls.

They chanted “We want Messi” in the first half to implore Inter Miami to field in the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

They got their wish in the 60th minute when Messi replaced Leo Campana.

He didn’t disappoint the fans inside Red Bull Arena, scoring a fantastic team goal for Inter Miami in the 89th minute, per Yahoo Sports.

DeAndre Yedlin started the move for Inter Miami, delivering a short pass to Messi in the middle of the pitch.

He then gave the ball to Robbie Robinson, who kept the play moving with a lay-off pass to Sergio Busquets.

The former Barcelona swung the ball to the left side of the pitch as he found Jordi Alba wide open.

Alba managed to control the ball even though Busquets’ pass was a bit high, delivering an acrobatic pass to Messi inside the box with his first touch.

Several defenders swarmed Messi as he looked for an opening. He still found Benjamin Cremaschi with a brilliant through ball using the outside of his left boot.

Cremaschi delivered a first-time cross back to a wide-open Messi, who scored with an easy tap-in.

Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League debut

Ronaldo shocked fans across the globe when he announced that he was moving to the Middle East to play for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

He made his long-awaited debut for the Saudi Arabian side on January 22 in a league match against Al-Ettifaq.

He helped his new team record a narrow 1-0 victory, with Talisca scoring the lone goal of the match. The Brazilian midfielder headed in Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem’s cross in the 31st minute to give Al-Nassr the win.

Ronaldo wowed the crowd with his tricks and step-overs, but he failed to find the back of the net against Al-Ettifaq, per ESPN.

Frustrations mounted for the Portuguese star as the season progressed, with Al-Nassr failing to win any trophies in the 2022-23 campaign.