For the first time since the 2004-2005 season, neither five-time Balon D’Or winner, Lionel Messi nor his major rival, Cristiano Ronaldo will play in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
For many football fans, eliminating Juventus and Barcelona from the Champions League Round of 16, means the ‘end of an era’ in European football.
Both Messi and Ronaldo had been sensational over the last decade in their clubs by winning a combination of nine Champions League titles, Messi (4), Ronaldo (5). But with the latest development, it seems like that their dominance of over ten years came to an end.
Ronaldo’s Juventus were surprisingly kicked out of Champions League by Porto on away goals, while Barcelona was eliminated by PSG 5-2 on aggregate.
It is imperative to note that Messi made his Champions League debut in the 2004-2005 season against Shakhtar Donetsk when his team lost to the Ukrainian side 2-0.
He netted his first Champions League goal in Barcelona’s 5-0 win over Panathinaikos and lifted his first European Cup at the end of the 2005-2006 season.
The 33-year-old won his last Champions League title in 2015 and he led his team to victory by scoring ten goals in 13 matches.
Meanwhile, Barcelona failed to reach the UEFA Champions League quarters for the first time since the 06/07 season, snapping a 13-year-run.
On the other hand, a five-time Champions League winner Cristiano Ronaldo, bagged his first Champions League trophy in 2008.
Ajax eliminated Juventus in the quarter-final in Cristiano’s first season with the club. Last season, his team was knocked out in the round of 16 by Olympique Lyon.
Ronaldo is the current top scorer in the history of the Champions League.
