Messi and Ronaldo Suffer Simultaneous Continental Setbacks
Brian White and Pedro Vite scored within two minutes of each other (51st and 53rd minutes), and Sebastian Berhalter sealed the 3-1 victory (5-1 aggregate).
Messi and Ronaldo stunned as both crash out of continental tournaments on the same day. Photo/Getty Images.
By Robert Assad
In a stunning coincidence, soccer icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both eliminated from their respective continental tournaments on Wednesday, May 1, 2025, marking a rare parallel in their illustrious careers.
Messi’s Inter Miami fell 3-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals, while Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr succumbed 3-2 to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the AFC Champions League Elite semifinals, ending their hopes of adding to their trophy collections.
Inter Miami, trailing 2-0 from the first leg, started strongly at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. A ninth-minute goal from Jordi Alba, assisted by Messi and Luis Suárez, cut the aggregate deficit to 2-1. However, Vancouver’s clinical second-half performance dashed Miami’s comeback hopes.
Brian White and Pedro Vite scored within two minutes of each other (51st and 53rd minutes), and Sebastian Berhalter sealed the 3-1 victory (5-1 aggregate). Despite Messi’s efforts, Inter Miami couldn’t overcome Vancouver’s resilience, who now advance to face either Cruz Azul or Tigres UANL in the final on June 1.
Meanwhile, in Jeddah, Al-Nassr’s campaign ended in a thrilling 3-2 defeat to Kawasaki Frontale. Tatsuya Ito opened the scoring for Kawasaki, but Sadio Mané’s deflected effort equalized.
Yuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga then put Kawasaki ahead, and despite a late goal from Aiman Yahya, Al-Nassr couldn’t find an equalizer. Ronaldo, who missed a crucial chance in stoppage time, was left frustrated as Kawasaki secured their first-ever AFC Champions League final berth against Al-Ahli.
This dual elimination has sparked widespread discussion among fans, with posts on X reflecting sentiment that “the soccer we knew is over.” Both players, now 37 and 39 respectively, have been unable to replicate their European dominance in their new leagues.
Messi, with 46 career titles, remains the most decorated player in history, while Ronaldo, with 34, has only won the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup with Al-Nassr.
As Inter Miami shifts focus to the MLS season and the FIFA Club World Cup, and Al-Nassr eyes domestic success, this day will be remembered as a poignant moment when two legends faced defeat in unison, highlighting the relentless march of time even for the greatest.
About Author
