This year's Champions League final will involve neither of the world superstars for the first time in six years
For the first time since 2013, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will feature in the Champions League final.
Messi's Barcelona capitulated at the hands of Liverpool on Tuesday, losing the semi-final second leg 4-0 to go down 4-3 on aggregate.
That shock result ended an astonishing run of dominance for the star duo when it comes to Europe's top club competition. Since 2013, one of Messi or Ronaldo were involved in five successive finals – with the latter winning three straight titles and four in total.
But Ronaldo, who left holders Real Madrid at the start of the season, saw his Juventus team crash out at the quarter-final stage to Ajax in the 2018-19 tournament.
And Messi was unable to maintain the streak as La Liga champions Barca – last winners of the competition in 2015 – were sensationally beaten at Anfield despite holding a three-goal first-leg lead.
It wasn't for a lack of trying from the Argentine.
Messi was the singular creative force for the Spanish giants at Anfield. The foward created or took all eight of his side's shots on the night as they became just the fourth team in the history of the Champions League to fall in a knockout tie after taking a three-goal win in the opening leg.
Like the Portugal international, Messi is stuck on four continental crowns, having last won the crown in 2015.
Messi and Ronaldo also saw their streak of being the only two players to win the Ballon d'Or for a 10-year period ended when Luka Modric claimed the 2018 award.
Liverpool will meet either Ajax or Tottenham in this year's Champions League final, which will be held in Madrid on June 1.
The last final without Messi and Ronaldo saw Bayern Munich defeat Borussia Dortmund – then managed by current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp - in an all-German clash at Wembley.
dahbcdeot
207
People compares Messi and Ronaldo but the truth is they are two different kind of footballers. Ronldo:Really skillfull like freestyler has the sense to finish off a hard goal.Wonderful header.Physically fit and a real team player. Messi:Magician can easily beat defenders.Also can curve the ball too much. Can make impossible passes and assists.Has wonderful vision. Don't compare them there the best..
Mefipool。
183
Its official: Messi not eligible for Ballon dor
Losbdorst
163
Balotelli in the house
cumemry
106
my opinion messi is not the best player.he only the best player for barca....why messi don't move to another club to prove he is the best?for me CR7 much better than him coz CR7 already played for 3 different clubs..
Rashniccr7
94
Balotelli: Donot compare cr7 to messi Me: Cr7 was criticized for not winning 4th consecutive champions league with Juventus while messi is criticized for not reaching tje final for the past 4 years[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] Fact: Weed isn't good at all for Balotelli 😂😂😂😂😂
Rashniccr7
74
Where's Balotelli???😂😂😂😂 He should withdraw his statement immediately[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
iceyez
74
Stupid barca fans blaming the coach. Face the facts... Messi was fcuk'd in the anus last night..
setabcnpr
66
where is balotelli
Jack1990
61
70% of human hate each other because of UCL. 80% hate each other because of Messi and Ronaldo I m not a football fan but Lionel Messi surprise me the most. and m a fan of Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi But I m not focussing on who wins the cup,if I have time I watch football but if there is no time I just focus on my work. no stress,m always calm and peaceful. Be like Jack. The world need peace
tuhdeklrsu
59
Edoo87
50
we are out now
Rashniccr7
9
well he didn't just lose. He and his teammates threw away a 3-goal advantage. What sort of hero does that?
I've told Barcelona fans that the only thing messi is better than cr7 is to dribble, apart from that[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Hewcikmopt
8
my opinion messi is not the best player.he only the best player for barca....why messi don't move to another club to prove he is the best?for me CR7 much better than him coz CR7 already played for 3 different clubs..
Yes Cr7 can play anywhere...this season also he scored both home away against Ajax but unfortunately knocked out because the team not good enough to go through...ofcourse Cr7 did his part.