The elimination of Rayados de Monterrey in the 2025 Concachampions generated a controversy that extended beyond social media, even involving singer Shakira.
The coincidence of dates between the Colombian artist's concerts and the return match against Vancouver Whitecaps forced Rayados to change venues, thus losing the advantage of playing at home, which is crucial in such competitions. This change of setting, combined with a disappointing performance by the regional team, unleashed the fury of fans and the creativity of social media users.
The Vancouver Whitecaps joined in the mockery with a meme that quickly went viral. In the post, Shakira is seen in front of a computer with posters of Whitecaps players and the caption 'looking for tickets to the quarterfinals,' accompanied by the ironic text 'Whenever, wherever,' about how her concert prevented Rayados from playing in their stadium, the 'Gigante de Acero.'
Fans' reactions were swift on social media, inundated with memes and comments blaming Shakira for Rayados' elimination. The singer unintentionally became the center of mockery and criticism, being pointed out as responsible for the regional team’s defeat.
Rayados' elimination is considered a resounding failure, especially after the million-dollar investments in signings, including stars like Sergio Ramos. Followers demand explanations and deep changes in the team, questioning the management and coaching staff's capabilities. Despite this, Shakira's shadow will linger in the memory of this debacle, highlighting how an unexpected external factor can influence the outcome of a match and trigger a series of criticisms and memes.
