Inter Miami star Lionel Messi came off the bench despite injury discomfort to give fans in Saudi Arabia one last chance to watch him on the pitch Thursday.

That’s the only logical explanation why Messi, who was initially ruled out of the starting lineup due to injury, appeared in the final 14 minutes of Inter Miami’s 6-0 loss to Al Nassr at Kingdom Arena in the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Messi was initially not expected to play after feeling discomfort following Monday's match against Al Hilal and Wednesday's training session in Saudi Arabia, causing him to undergo an MRI as a precaution. Messi was added to Inter Miami’s lineup and watched from the bench as an available substitute until coming on in the 83^rd minute.

Messi played with discretion during his limited minutes. He had one shot attempt inside the penalty area that was deflected by an Al Nassr defender in the 86^th minute. He also had two kicks to advance the ball further up the pitch.

Other than that, Messi casually dribbled the ball as defenders approached him, and made quick passes to teammates. And he didn’t do much running outside of a light jog.

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino appeared to speak with a referee after the final whistle to complain about the six added minutes of extra time in the match. But he has bigger issues to worry about after Inter Miami’s 6-0 loss.

It was supposed to be “The Last Dance” between Messi and Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo, but Ronaldo was ruled out Wednesday due to a calf injury.

While both of soccer’s greatest stars weren’t in their best form, fans at least got to see Messi finish the match. Ronaldo, on the other hand, cheered from his seat in a suite as Al Nassr scored three goals in the first 12 minutes.

Talisca finished with a hat trick, while Otávio, Laporte and Mohammed Maran added goals for Al Nassr in the blowout.

It’s unclear how much Messi will play as Inter Miami continues their worldwide preseason tour with a match in Hong Kong on Feb. 4 at 3 a.m. ET and Tokyo on Feb. 8 at 5 a.m. ET.

Lionel Messi enters in 83^rd minute for Inter Miami vs. Al Nassr

With at least seven minutes left in the match, Lionel Messi has entered.

Messi enters in the 83^rd minute for one last sequence in Saudi Arabia.

The crowd was absolutely loud when he got his first touch, a kick from one side of the field to the other.

Talisca hat trick: Al Nassr 6, Inter Miami 0

Al Nassr’s Talisca has a hat trick in this one.

Talisca was streaking down the middle of the pitch, when he received a pass in stride, and his left boot found the back of the net again in the 73^rd minute after video review.

Inter Miami trails 6-0, and Messi was warming up temporarily. But it would be a surprise if he enters this one.

Lionel Messi warming up during second half

Fans at Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia exploded when Lionel Messi got up off the bench to warm up his legs on the sideline.

It's unclear if Messi will actually play despite Inter Miami wanting to keep him out of this match as a precaution.

If Messi does play, he'll appear sometime within the final 20 minutes of the match.

Mohammed Maran goal: Al Nassr 5, Inter Miami 0

Al Nassr’s Mohammed Maran scored on a beautiful header in the 68^th minute to take a 5-0 lead.

The good news for fans in Saudi Arabia: Lionel Messi has got up to stretch and warm up as a potential substitute.

Inter Miami misses chances in second half: Al Nassr 4, Inter Miami 0

Luis Suárez missed a shot on goal in 60^th minute after Al Nassr goalie Waleed Abdullah deflected the attempt. Suárez even shook Abdullah’s hand after the sequence.

Three minutes later, Leo Campana missed high in 63^rd minute.

It’s just been that kinda day for Inter Miami.

Talisca penalty kick goal: Al Nassr 4, Inter Miami 0

Inter Miami goalie Drake Callendar received a penalty for a diving contest in the penalty area.

And Al Nassr's Talisca made him pay with a goal on the ensuing penalty kick for his second score of the match.

Although it's preseason, Inter Miami's 4-0 deficit is easily the largest in the Messi era.

Halftime: Al Nassr 3, Inter Miami 0

Cristiano Ronaldo has celebrated plenty, while Lionel Messi looked concern.

It was supposed to be a match between soccer’s greatest stars. Instead, they’re both onlookers in this one.

Al Nassr scored three goals in the first 12 minutes, and cruised to a 3-0 halftime lead against Inter Miami on Thursday during their match at the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Messi is watching from the bench, and not expected to play despite being listed on Inter Miami’s roster as an available substitute.

Messi felt discomfort after Inter Miami’s match against Al Hilal on Monday, and during Wednesday’s training session. He’s being held out as a precaution.

Ronaldo was ruled out on Wednesday due to a calf injury.

Otávio scored in the third minute, Talisca scored in the 10^th, and Laporte scored in the 12^th minute for Al Nassr. Laporte’s goal from about 75 yards out with Inter Miami goalie Drake Callendar wandering far from the net has been the highlight of the match.

Luis Suárez had a shot on goal, Leo Campana missed two chances and David Ruiz – who sparked Inter Miami’s comeback against Al Hilal Tuesday – also missed an opportunity for Inter Miami in the first half.

Luis Suárez injury: Al Nassr 3, Inter Miami 0

Inter Miami newcomer Luis Suárez was kicked in the lower right leg, and was down in pain.

He remains in the match, but could likely be an early substitute as this match continues.

Here's Lionel Messi's reaction to the play:

Al Nassr goalie David Ospina exits with injury: Al Nassr 3, Inter Miami 0

Inter Miami may have an opening in this match in the 31^st minute.

Al Nassr goalie David Ospina has been substituted after feeling discomfort following a challenge of Luis Suarez’s shot attempt on goal.

Backup Waleed Abdullah has entered the game for Al Nassr.

Fans flood Inter Miami’s social media account after 3-0 deficit

Inter Miami is surely getting plenty of social media engagement following their 3-0 deficit to Al Nassr on Thursday afternoon.

Just look at this snapshot of the action with fans replying to posts about the score:

Aymeric Laporte goal: Al Nassr 3, Inter Miami 0

Inter Miami goalie Drake Callendar was caught too far away from the net.

And Al Nassr made him pay.

Al Nassr's Aymeric Laporte scored in the 12^th minute from about 75 yards out, and Inter Miami is down 3-0 in Saudi Arabia.

Talisca goal: Al Nassr 2, Inter Miami 0

Cristiano Ronaldo loves what he sees, watching from a luxury box in the stadium.

Brazilian star Talisca scored in the 10^th minute to give Al Nassr a 2-0 lead against Inter Miami.

Wait, there’s more.

Otávio goal: Al Nassr 1, Inter Miami 0

Four minutes in, and Inter Miami is already down.

Al Nassr’s Otávio scored in the fourth minute to take a 1-0 lead in this match.

It’s the third straight match this preseason Inter Miami has fallen behind in the opening minutes.

Check out Messi's Michelob Ultra Super Bowl commercial

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi's Super Bowl commercial with Michelob Ultra released on Wednesday, staring Pro Football Hall of Fame Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino and Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis.

Check it out here:

Will Messi and Ronaldo ever play against each other again?

Messi has played in the last two Riyadh Season Cups, where he faced Ronaldo last year, and has a major fan base in Saudi Arabia. Messi recently starred in a commercial for Saudi tourism.

It's feasible to believe Messi and Inter Miami could be open to another trip to Saudi Arabia for their 2025 preseason, and a matchup against Ronaldo and Al Nassr would earn the same hype and excitement as this year’s matchup before Ronaldo’s injury.

Messi is under contract with Inter Miami through 2025, while Ronaldo is under contract with Al Nassr through June 2025. But will their health hold up?

Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not playing against Lionel Messi, Inter Miami?

Ronaldo’s calf injury caused Al Nassr to cancel two preseason matches in China last week. And it has cost soccer fans worldwide another opportunity to see Ronaldo and Messi on the same pitch together.

Al Nassr coach Luis Castro told reporters on Wednesday: Ronaldo “is in the final part of his recovery to join the group. We hope that in the next few days you can start working with the team. He will be absent from the game.”

How did Messi, Inter Miami fare against Al Hilal on Tuesday?

The look on Messi’s face was priceless after Inter Miami gave up a 2-0 lead to Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal within the first 13 minutes of their match Tuesday.

Messi was stunned. It appeared Inter Miami may have bit off more than it could chew for its first of two matches in the Riyadh Season Cup. But they responded.

Messi scored on a penalty kick and rising 19-year-old David Ruiz scored a goal to help Inter Miami storm back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the match at 3. Luis Suárez scored his first Inter Miami goal in the first half.

Unfortunately for Inter Miami, Al Hilal’s Malcom – who played with Messi and Suárez in Barcelona in 2018-19 – scored the game-winning goal just seconds after Messi left the pitch in the 88^th minute as a substitution.

Although Inter Miami lost 4-3 to Al Hilal, the club was provided with valuable game experience it can carry into the 2024 MLS season.

“We’re trying to still get better. We have a lot of ways to go, in terms of before the season kicks off, so we have some good games coming up,” said Inter Miami newcomer Julian Gressel, who won the MLS Cup with the Columbus Crew last season.

“This was a good test against us, where we got exposed in certain ways, and that’s a good thing. That’s what you want to happen in the preseason so when the season rolls around, you’re up for the challenges, and then you’re ready to go.”

What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?

After Thursday’s match in Saudi Arabia, Inter Miami’s worldwide preseason tour continues with a match in Hong Kong on Feb. 4 at 3 a.m. ET and Tokyo on Feb. 8 at 5 a.m. ET.

In all, Inter Miami will travel more than 25,000 miles during the preseason – enough to circle the globe once.

Inter Miami will finish its preseason at home on Feb. 15 against Newell’s Old Boys – the Argentine hometown club of Messi and coach Tata Martino.

Inter Miami will play two matches during the opening week of the 2024 MLS season, with the season opener on Feb. 21 at home against Real Salt Lake, and at the Los Angeles Galaxy on Feb. 25.

Here's more information on Messi and Inter Miami's 2024 schedule.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lionel Messi plays despite injury, Inter Miami loses 6-0 to Al Nassr