By Victor Kanayo
Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo suffered defeats at the same stage of their respective regional competitions.
Messi’s club, Inter Miami, were eliminated by Vancouver Whitecaps with a 5–1 loss in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, while Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale edged out Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr 3–2, also in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League.
It was Miami’s third consecutive loss.
As FC Barcelona teammates, Mascherano, Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba were part of one of the greatest comebacks in football history, overturning a 4–0 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain to win 6–1 in the 2017 Champions League Round of 16 and progress 6–5 on aggregate.
Vancouver will face a Mexican opponent in the final on 1 June, either Tigres or Cruz Azul, who are tied 1–1 heading into their second leg on Thursday.
For Miami, the focus now shifts to their bid for a first MLS Cup and their FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
Ronaldo is yet to win a major title with Al-Nassr since joining them in January 2023.
He failed to convert three late chances, leaving his hopes of adding the Asian crown to his five UEFA Champions League titles in tatters.
Kawasaki will play in their first Champions League final, facing Al Ahli at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
