Mexico set to miss out on both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Inter Miami’s exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup, coupled with Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury, spells bad news for Mexican soccer fans.
The highly anticipated CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup between Club América and Inter Miami - circled on calendars across Mexico - won’t be happening. Nashville made sure of that, knocking out Lionel Messi and company on the away‑goals rule. Javier Mascherano’s squad bowed out of the tournament earlier than expected.
Once again, Mexico City was left on the verge of hosting Messi, only to see the opportunity slip away. Last year it was the Vancouver Whitecaps who eliminated Pumas, who would have faced the Herons had they beaten the Canadians. This year, Nashville stepped in to spoil the party.
Nashville SC will play the next round! pic.twitter.com/UU3Y4bifIq
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) March 19, 2026
Mexico also set to miss out on CR7 visit
In a year when Mexico hoped to welcome both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the outlook has dimmed: neither superstar is likely to play on Mexican soil. Ronaldo is currently injured, and his availability for Portugal’s friendly against Mexico, scheduled for March 28, looks doubtful.
Cristiano is dealing with a hamstring injury, and his club, Al Nassr, has already requested that he not be called up. In Mexico, there’s still faint hope he might appear on the roster Roberto Martínez is set to announce.
Messi seemed like the more realistic headliner for the Estadio Azteca, which is scheduled to reopen with the Mexico vs Portugal match. But Inter Miami couldn’t get past Nashville and BJ Callaghan, who once again becomes something of a villain in Mexico.
Callaghan was the interim coach of the U.S. men’s national team in the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League semifinal in which Mexico suffered a resounding 3-0 defeat. Now he’s responsible for shutting down Messi’s potential visit to Mexico.
Monterrey, the lone Mexican side to face Messi
That leaves Monterrey as the only Mexican club to have faced Inter Miami in the Champions Cup, meeting the Herons in the 2024 quarterfinals.
The visit proved frustrating for Messi. Inter Miami fell 3-1 at the “Gigante de Acero,” and ultimately exited the tournament in the quarterfinal round.
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