Ronaldo and Messi sets new record in the Champions League

Everyone knows the duo Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to be record breakers and pacesetters when it comes to football. Over the years, they have both set many records as well as broken already existing records. Also, we discover that when they set records, there are always hard to be broken. However, it looks like their reign in football competitions is seeing an expected end as Ronaldo turns 36 and Messi, 33.

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The 2021 UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 stage came to an end on March 10. The aftermath of the Round-of-16 matches saw Ronaldo and Messi setting a new record. The record this time isn't one to be proud but a sad one for them both. What is the record in question?

The duo have missed featuring in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time ever since 2004-05 season when Liverpool FC defeated AC Milan to lift their fifth Champions League trophy. Back then, Ronaldo was still at Manchester United. Ronaldo and Messi have always been making it to the quarter-finals or if not both of them, at least either has always reached the quarter-finals stage in the competition but this year saw both of them being knocked-out in the Round-of-16 stage. How did this happen?

In the Round-of-16 stage, Juventus were up against FC Porto while Barcelona faced Paris St Germain. During the first-leg, FC Porto defeated Juventus by two goals to one while PSG thrashed Barcelona with four goals to nil. The second-leg matchday came, Juventus won by 3 goals to 2 goals but this wasn't enough to qualify them as FC Porto had an away goal advantage.

On the other hand, Barcelona played 1-1 tie with PSG in the second-leg. On aggregate, PSG were on the top and that was how both Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both exited the 2021 Champions League. It really didn't end well for them both and we hope to see an improvement in next season that is if they don't retire. If I were to be Christiano Ronaldo, I would definitely consider retiring; it is always advised to leave the stage while the ovation is still on the high. He has had a very good career so, I think it's time to draw the curtain.

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Ronaldo was brought to Juventus with the hope of helping the team attain a Champions League trophy but sadly, that proved abortive. Could it mean that Ronaldo will be leaving Juventus? Messi on the other hand failed to take Barcelona to the finals yet another time. Could it mean that the end of their reign is drawing very nigh? Clearly, both of them are not worthy of the balloon d'or this season as their performances are really on the low. The question now is, with the two superstars out of the competition, who will get to lift the trophy? We still have the likes of Liverpool, FC Porto, Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the competition.

It might be too early to say who will win so, let's just watch and see. The quarter-finals draw is yet to be out until March 19.