Aymeric Laporte rifled home a scorching 60-yard effort to put Al-Nassr 3-0 ahead of Inter Miami inside the opening 12 minutes of their club-friendly as Lionel Messi watched on from the sidelines in disbelief.
The former Manchester City defender was never known for his goals during his time in the Premier League. But the Frenchman, fancying his chances from far out, scored a free kick from well inside his own half to put the game out of reach for the MLS side.
Noticing Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender was off of his line Laporte leathered the ball over the American shot-stopper’s head and into the visitor’s net as Cristiano Ronaldo jumped for joy in the stands.
Al-Nassr took the lead after only three minutes courtesy of Portuguese attacking midfielder Otavio before Anderson Talisca doubled their advantage seven minutes later. The game was supposed to see fierce rivals Ronaldo and Messi square off against each other on the pitch but both players weren’t picked in the starting XI’s before kick-off.
Messi was benched after ‘feeling discomfort’ following Tuesday’s match against Al Hilal and Wednesday’s training session in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Ronaldo is currently sidelined by a calf injury.
According to Al-Nassr head coach Luis Castro, speaking on Wednesday, Ronaldo is in the ‘final part’ of his recovery before he ‘resumes full training with the rest of his team-mates’ so he should be back in action for when Al-Nassr’s domestic campaign resumes in two weeks.
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit:
. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
