Messi: Real Madrid Weakened By Ronaldo Exit

By Joshua Walters

Barcelona's Lionel Messi says he was shocked to hear of Cristiano Ronaldo's exit from Real Madrid and claims the absence of the serial goal poacher has weakened the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.

Ronaldo left the European champions for Juventus this summer after a 9-year stint that saw him score 450 goals in 438 games, lead the club to 2 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League titles, three of them in succession, and four Balon d'Or awards.

The Portugal national team captain spent the last decade competing with Lionel Messi for every country, club and personal achievements, and the Argentine believes Real Madrid have weakened their front and strengthened Juventus by selling the reigning Balon d’Or holder to the Italian giants.

"I was surprised by his decision”, said the Barcelona captain. “I did not think he would go from Madrid or that he would go to Juventus. There were so many teams and I heard less about Juve but it is a very good team."

"Obviously they (Madrid) are one of the best teams in the world, they have great players and squad, but yes, the departure of Cristiano from the squad makes them less strong."

"It makes Juventus a clear favorite to win the Champions League due to the squad they had before and now with him on top."

Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015, and have had three consecutive quarter-final exits, and Lionel Messi stressed they are desperate to win it this season.

"It is necessary because we have had three years where we have gone out in the quarter-finals and the last was the worst of the lot due to how it happened.”

"We are concentrating on this because it is possible, we have a squad where we can fight for this competition.”