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Lionel Messi, the soccer legend who lifted the World Cup in 2022, faced a crushing blow as Inter Miami was eliminated from the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, falling 5-1 on aggregate to Vancouver Whitecaps in the semifinals. Despite his global dominance, this regional tournament proved an insurmountable hurdle, leaving fans stunned and Messi visibly shaken. The defeat at Chase Stadium on April 30 marked a low point in Messi's MLS journey, highlighting the unpredictable nature of club soccer.
Inter Miami entered the second leg trailing 2-0 from the first match in Vancouver, where Brian White and Sebastian Berhalter scored for the Whitecaps. Hopes of a comeback surged when Jordi Alba fired a stunning left-footed goal to make it 1-0 early in the second leg, bringing the aggregate to 2-1. Jordi Alba put the 1-0 against Vancouver with a left-footed shot, and Messi's team was close to tying the series.
Yet, Vancouver responded ruthlessly, netting three goals in a devastating second half to seal a 3-1 win in Florida, ending Inter Miami's dream of reaching the final against Tigres or Cruz Azul.
Inter Miami crumbles in Concacaf chaos
Messi, alongside stars Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Alba, struggled to break through Vancouver's defense, managed by coach Jesper Sørensen. The Whitecaps, leaders in MLS's Western Conference, showcased their depth, with Berhalter's late dagger in the first leg and clinical finishing in the second.
Coach Javier Mascherano, drawing on their shared Barcelona "La Remontada" history, had rallied the team, saying, "Nothing is impossible." But even Messi's magic couldn't overturn the deficit, despite a previous comeback against LAFC in the quarterfinals, where he scored twice.
The loss stung deeply for Messi, who reacted to Vancouver's taunts in the first leg with a defiant, "See you in Miami!" Yet, the home crowd's energy wasn't enough. Social media captured Messi's frustration, with posts on X describing him as "desperate" as Inter Miami conceded two goals in two minutes during the second leg.
For a player who conquered the world stage, this regional setback underscores the challenges of MLS and Concacaf's competitive landscape. Vancouver's triumph positions them as a rising force, while Messi and Inter Miami regroup, their Concacaf aspirations deferred.