Messi: 'I didn't imagine' Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid
Playing in different domestic leagues for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign, Lionel Messi is feeling the absence of his longtime adversary.
Cristiano Ronaldo's €100-million move to Juventus from Real Madrid this summer brought an unexpected end to a captivating La Liga rivalry between the Portuguese star and the now-Barcelona captain. Speaking in an interview with Catalunya Radio, the Argentine admitted he was caught off guard by Ronaldo's sudden departure, which he argues now clearly makes Los Blancos a weaker side.
"Real Madrid are one of the best teams in the world and they have a great squad (but) it's evident that the absence of Ronaldo makes them less good and makes Juventus (one of the) clear favourites to win the Champions League," Messi said, as translated by ESPN's Sam Marsden.
"It surprised me (when he left). I didn't imagine him leaving Madrid or joining Juventus. There were a lot of teams that wanted him. It surprised me, but he has gone to a very good team."
The Portuguese talisman was unveiled on Monday as one of three finalists for The Best FIFA Men's Player, joining Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah and former teammate Luka Modric on the podium. Messi scored 34 goals to lead La Liga last season, and he made FIFA's 10-man shortlist for the award. However, he couldn't push Barcelona to a deep Champions League run.
The Blaugrana led Serie A outfit Roma 4-1 on aggregate following the first leg in Spain, but a shock 3-0 loss in Italy saw the La Liga champions bounced on away goals in the quarterfinals.
Barcelona have now failed to progress past that stage in four of the last five seasons. The lone exception came in 2014-15, when Messi and Co. toppled Ronaldo's current side 3-1 in the final.
"It's time (to win it again)," Messi said. "We have been knocked out in the quarterfinals in the last three seasons. Last season's result in Rome hurt especially, but we have a spectacular squad and we can fight for it (this season)."
Barcelona's first Champions League match will take place on Sept. 18 when they host reigning Eredivisie winners PSV Eindhoven at the Camp Nou.