Barcelona star, Lionel Messi has stated that the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid will weaken the club’s chances in this year’s Champions League.
Ronaldo ended a nine year spell at the Bernabeu this summer after securing a move to Juventus for £105m. Before then, the Portuguese helped Real Madrid to a third consecutive Champions League trophy and has won it four times with the Spanish Giants. The 33-year-old scored 15 goals in the UCL last season as Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 3-1 in the final in Kiev.
This and more has made Lionel Messi to express his shock at his move.
“Real Madrid are one of the best teams in the world and they have a great squad,” Messi said to Spanish radio station Catalunya Radio.
“[But] It’s evident that the absence of Ronaldo makes them less good and makes Juventus clear favourites to win the Champions League.
“It surprised me. I didn’t imagine him leaving Madrid or joining Juventus.
“There were a lot of teams that wanted him. It surprised me, but he has gone to a very good team.”
And Messi has also made it clear success in Europe in Barcelona’s goal for the season.
Messi added: “It’s time [Barcelona won the Champions League]. We have been knocked out in the quarter-finals in the last three seasons
“Last season’s result in Rome hurt especially, but we have a spectacular squad and we can fight for it.”
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