In an eagerly anticipated match-up, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to face each other once again on the football field. The thrilling encounter will take place in February next year as part of the Riyadh Season Cup, held in Saudi Arabia.

The game, scheduled to happen in the first week of February, is expected to draw massive global attention as these two legendary footballers go head-to-head. It could potentially be their last meeting on the pitch, adding even more significance to the event. The match will be held at the Kingdom Arena, a venue known for hosting prestigious sporting events.

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, expressed his excitement about the upcoming tournament. He stated, "We look forward to welcoming everyone from Inter Miami in February for the Riyadh Season Cup, which will bring together a number of the biggest international stars from across all three clubs competing. The excitement and global interest that we expect this tournament to generate expands upon one of our main aspirations for Riyadh Season - to create international events that visitors to Riyadh and fans around the world can all enjoy."

Lionel Messi, 36, spent the majority of his illustrious career at Barcelona, while Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, faced off against the Argentine international during his successful stint at Real Madrid. Between 2008 and 2017, these two football giants dominated the men's Ballon d'Or, with one of them winning the prestigious award every year.

Their last encounter took place in January this year when Messi, then playing for Paris Saint-Germain, faced Ronaldo's former side, the Saudi All-Stars. Both players showcased their talents by finding the back of the net in the game.

Messi's move to Inter Miami FC in July on a two-and-a-half-year deal has been closely followed by fans around the world. He made a remarkable impact by scoring a stunning 89th-minute free-kick in his debut match for David Beckham's Miami franchise. However, his season was marred by injury, causing him to miss several games. Despite his individual brilliance, Inter Miami failed to secure a postseason spot, finishing in 14th place in the Eastern Conference.

As for Cristiano Ronaldo, he made headlines with his high-profile departure from Manchester United and subsequently joined Al Nassr in January. The Saudi Pro League club made Ronaldo the highest-paid player in football history with a staggering contract earning him around £173 million ($210 million) annually. In his first season with Al Nassr, Ronaldo played a pivotal role in their second-place finish, netting an impressive 14 goals in just 16 games.

The upcoming clash between Messi and Ronaldo in the Riyadh Season Cup is sure to captivate football enthusiasts worldwide. Fans eagerly await this epic showdown as the two legends cross paths once again on the football pitch, showcasing their extraordinary skills and fierce rivalry.