Messi Leads Inter Miami to Historic MLS Cup Final, Sharply Contrasting Ronaldo’s Struggles at Al Nassr
Inter Miami CF has reached the 2025 MLS Cup final for the first time in club history, fueled by a dominant 5-1 victory over New York City FC in the Conference Final. The achievement has ignited comparisons to the fortunes of Lionel Messi’s longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, where championship success has remained elusive.
Inter Miami’s journey to the final marks a rapid ascent for the franchise since Messi’s arrival in 2023. With a spot secured against either San Diego FC or the Vancouver Whitecaps, Messi will have participated in three official finals with Inter Miami in just over two years.
His impact was immediately felt in the United States, leading the team to their first-ever final appearance in the 2023 Leagues Cup. The Herons secured their inaugural title by defeating Nashville SC in a penalty shootout, a landmark moment representing Messi’s first trophy outside of European competition.
The team continued its success, claiming the 2024 Supporters’ Shield after finishing with the most points in both MLS conferences during the regular season. This led to another Leagues Cup final appearance in 2025, though Inter Miami ultimately fell to the Seattle Sounders with a score of 3-0, narrowly missing a third trophy.
Inter Miami’s run wasn’t without its challenges. In 2023, they also reached the final of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Dynamo Houston, but a muscle injury sidelined Messi, and the team lost 2-1.
The contrast with Ronaldo’s experience at Al Nassr is stark. While the Portuguese star has reached three official finals with the Saudi club, he has yet to secure a victory. His most recent setback came in the 2025 Saudi Super Cup final, where Al Nassr lost to Al Ahly in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.
This followed a 4-1 defeat to Al Hilal in the 2024 Saudi Super Cup final. Ronaldo’s debut final with Al Nassr, the 2023-24 King’s Cup, also ended in defeat via penalty kicks to – again – Al Hilal.
The only trophy Ronaldo has won with Al Nassr is the Arab Club Champions Cup, a competition that lacks formal recognition from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) or FIFA, classifying it as a showcase event.
The diverging paths of these two footballing icons continue to captivate fans worldwide, with Messi’s immediate impact in Miami serving as a compelling counterpoint to Ronaldo’s ongoing quest for silverware in Saudi Arabia.
