The football world had its fingers crossed for Cristiano Ronaldo to be on the field this Thursday in the highly anticipated reunion with Lionel Messi in the friendly match between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami, but it won't happen after all.

The Portuguese star couldn't recover in time from the injury that already prevented him from participating in the Saudi club's tour of China, a tour that had to be postponed precisely due to CR7's absence.

Al-Nassr coach Luís Castro confirmed Ronaldo's absence in a press conference. "Cristiano is in the final stage of his recovery. We hope that in the next few days he can start working with the rest of the group, but he won't be available tomorrow," said the Portuguese coach.

So, there won't be a "Last Dance" between Messi and Cristiano, at least not this Thursday when their teams face each other in the preseason tour of Inter Miami. A preparation in which they still haven't secured a victory after losing their last match against Al-Hilal.