Cristiano Ronaldo loses third straight final with Al Nassr: How many consecutive finals has Messi lost?

Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t end his title drought with Al Nassr after the team fell to Al Ahli Saudi FC on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the Saudi Super Cup final. This marks Ronaldo’s third consecutive final loss at the club level, sparking comparisons with Lionel Messi’s career.

While Ronaldo has now lost three straight finals with Al Nassr, Messi has never lost consecutive club finals. However, when considering his international career with Argentina, Messi did experience two back-to-back final losses. First, Argentina fell to Chile in the 2015 Copa America, and just one month later, Messi’s Barcelona lost the Spanish Super Cup to Athletic Club.

The 2015 Copa America final against Chile, played on July 4, is particularly memorable as it could have been Messi’s first major international title. After a strong tournament, Argentina couldn’t overcome Chile in regulation time, ultimately losing 4-1 on penalties.

One month later, Messi reached another final with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Club in a two-leg series. Bilbao dominated the first leg 4-0, leaving Barcelona with a nearly impossible task for the second leg, which ended 1-1. Athletic Club secured the trophy, giving Messi his second consecutive final loss when counting international and club competitions.

For Ronaldo, success with Al Nassr has been elusive. His recent defeat to Al Ahli marks his third consecutive club final loss. He had previously lost twice to Al Hilal: in the 2024 Saudi Super Cup and the 2024 King’s Cup. However, at the international level, Ronaldo lifted the 2025 UEFA Nations League trophy after Portugal defeated Spain on penalties.

Messi’s record in finals

Messi has played in a total of 43 finals (50 if two-leg series are counted). His most recent final came with Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup against Nashville, which ended in victory for the Herons.

Overall, Messi boasts an impressive record in finals at both club and international level: 43 finals, 31 wins, and only 12 losses. He is also the all-time top scorer in finals, with 35 goals scored across single matches and two-leg series.

Ronaldo’s record in finals

Cristiano Ronaldo has competed in 37 finals across clubs and national team competitions. He has a positive record, winning 25 titles and losing 12, while scoring 25 goals in those matches.

Ronaldo’s most recent final victory came with Portugal in the UEFA Nations League, defeating Spain on penalties. At the club level, his last title in a final came with Juventus, a 2-1 win over Atalanta in the 2021 Coppa Italia.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he now covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.

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