Playing in different domestic leagues for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign, Lionel Messi is feeling the absence of his longtime adversary.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s €100-million move to Juventus from Real Madrid this summer brought an unexpected end to a captivating La Liga rivalry between the Portuguese star and the now-Barcelona captain. Speaking in an interview with Catalunya Radio, the Argentine admitted he was caught off guard by Ronaldo’s sudden departure, which he argues now clearly makes Los Blancos a weaker side.
“Real Madrid are one of the best teams in the world and they have a great squad (but) it’s evident that the absence of Ronaldo makes them less good and makes Juventus (one of the) clear favourites to win the Champions League,” Messi said, as translated by ESPN’s Sam Marsden.
“It surprised me (when he left). 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.”
The Portuguese talisman was unveiled on Monday as one of three finalists for The Best FIFA Men’s Player, joining Liverpool winger <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" …read more