Messi
“Is the time of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo finally come to an end?”
16 defeated Gangseo PSG and Porto respectively
Messi and Ronaldo team transfer rumors also grow
Mbafe-Hollan attracts attention as the next generation
The British Daily Mail presented this analysis by delivering the results of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on the 11th (Korean time). Superstars Messi (34, Barcelona) and Ronaldo (37, Juventus) were unable to escape. Barcelona and Juventus were also eliminated side by side. It has been 16 years since the 2004-05 season that Messi and Ronaldo were eliminated in the Champions League round of 16 at the same time. In the meantime, at least one of them has risen in the quarterfinals.
Barcelona drew 1-1 against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the 2nd leg of the Champions League Round of 16 in the 2020-21 season held at Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Barcelona, which lost 1-4 at home in the first game, failed to reach the quarterfinals after a total of 2-5 in the first and second games. It was only 13 seasons after the 2006-07 season that Barcelona failed to advance to the quarterfinals.
Messi equalized with a left footed mid-range shot in the 37th minute of the first half after the team 0-1. However, he missed the chance to score the winning goal when he failed to score after taking the penalty kicker in the extra time in the first half. Blocked by opponent goalkeeper Navas. This is the first time Messi missed a penalty kick in the Champions League since the February 2015 match against Manchester City (England). British Gibme Sports said, “Mesh has entered the twilight period.” Messi, who has lost her status as a fixer, is more likely to leave Barcelona. His contract term is until this season. Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman didn’t hold onto, saying, “It’s a matter of choice for the Messi to rise.”
Ronaldo
On the 10th, Juventus knelt in Porto (Portugal). Juventus won 3-2 after extra time in the home game of the second leg of the round of 16 on this day. However, they lost to 1-2 in the first leg of the away and achieved a 4-4 tie in the first and second leg, but they were pushed back to Porto according to the principle of many points on the away. Ace Ronaldo only scored zero in both games of the first and second leg.
Juventus recruited Ronaldo, who played for Real Madrid in 2018, to challenge the club’s long-awaited Champions League championship. Ronaldo has raised the Champions League championship trophy four times at Real. The 1995-96 season is the last 25 years before Juventus reached the top of Europe. Contrary to expectations, however, Ronaldo was eliminated in the three consecutive Champions League tournaments until this season.
In particular, in the second game, Porto Medi Taremi was sent off in the 9th minute of the second half due to cumulative warnings. Juventus, who had a numerical advantage, led the attack, but Ronaldo missed the chance to score goals every time. Italian Corriere Delo Sporte criticized him for being “betrayed by Ronaldo.” Ronaldo, a Portuguese native, was sarcastic when he was hit by Porto. Gazzetta Delo Sportt called Ronaldo responsible for the sluggish “Juventus Champions League disaster”. Fans also said, “I can’t forgive. Leave the team” and expressed disappointment. Ronaldo’s contract is until next June.
The Daily Mail said, “Mesh and Ronaldo are the stars that have dominated the Champions League over the past 15 seasons. But I couldn’t beat my age,” he pointed out. Killian Mbafe (23, PSG) and Eling Holland (21, Dortmund) were selected as the next-generation strikers to replace the two.
Mbafe scored four goals this time against Barcelona. He became the player with the most goals in a season against Barcelona in this tournament. He also broke the Messi record (22 years and 286 days) and scored 25 goals in the youngest Champions League at 22 years and 80 days. Hollan is the number one scorer in the tournament this season with 10 goals. In addition, he was the youngest (20 years and 231 days) player to score six consecutive matches in the Champions League, and was named as the highest scorer ever under the age of 21. The pace was faster than the 20 goals of Mbappe (21 years and 355 days) and Messi (22 years and 266 days).
Reporter Pee Ju-young [email protected]
