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Again earlier than iPhones, Twitter and Instagram even existed, there was Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo — or each — within the Champions League quarterfinals.
Not this time.
The 2 biggest gamers of the present technology had been eradicated from the competitors this week, the primary time each failed to succeed in the quarterfinal stage in the identical 12 months since 2005.
“It’s a disgrace as a result of each are nice gamers who usually go very deep on this match, however now we have to simply accept it,” Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman mentioned after Messi and his teammates had been ousted by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Barcelona entered its match towards PSG trailing 4-1 from the primary leg, so expectations had been low. Messi responded to Kylian Mbappé’s opening objective with a unimaginable strike and, simply earlier than halftime, lined up for a penalty. Barcelona followers had been actually dreaming that one other 2017-style comeback was doable, however goalkeeper Keylor Navas saved it. The match ended 1-1, permitting PSG to advance.
Juventus was eradicated by Porto the evening earlier than after Ronaldo and teammate Álvaro Morata simply missed blocking a free kick from Sérgio Oliveira in additional time. Lined up in a wall, each turned their backs and the ball handed via Ronaldo’s legs and into the objective. Porto superior on away objectives after the matchup ended 4-4 on combination.
Ronaldo has gained 5 Champions League titles — one with Manchester United and the remainder with Actual Madrid, together with three straight from 2016-18. Messi has spent his total profession with Barcelona and has gained 4 Champions League titles, although he was injured for the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in 2006.
The 2 have even met within the last, with Messi and Barcelona beating Ronaldo and Man United 2-0 in 2009. Messi scored the second objective.
Don’t depend both participant out for subsequent season. Messi, who turns 34 in June, may go away Barcelona on the finish of the season however he’ll possible be picked up by among the finest groups in Europe. Ronaldo is 36 and continues to be the form of participant who can flip video games in his staff’s favor.
Messi has gained a report six Ballon d’Or awards as the very best participant in soccer. Ronaldo has gained the award 5 occasions.
The youthful gamers are catching up, nevertheless.
Erling Haaland, who was solely 4 years previous the final time each Messi and Ronaldo failed to succeed in the quarterfinals, scored two objectives on Tuesday to assist Borussia Dortmund advance. And Mbappé turned the youngest participant — at 22 years and 80 days — to attain 25 Champions League objectives together with his penalty towards Barcelona.
The earlier report holder was Messi.
“Thanks soccer,” Mbappé posted on his Instagram Story together with a photograph of himself with Messi from Wednesday’s match, “to provide me this chance to stay this dream day by day.”
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Extra AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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