MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 03:26:38| >> :120:26080:26080:

Lionel Messi: 'Cristiano Ronaldo makes Juventus Champions League favourites'

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi believes that the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid makes Juventus "a clear favourite" to win the Champions League.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has claimed that Juventus must be regarded as "a clear favourite" for Champions League glory this season following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi and Ronaldo have been regarded as the two best players in the world for a decade now, but the added El Clasico element of the perennial rivalry ended this summer when the latter joined Juve after nine years with Real Madrid.

Messi admitted that he was "surprised" at the move and believes that Madrid will be weaker for losing his fellow five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Obviously [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," Messi is quoted as saying by Marca.

"It makes Juventus a clear favourite to win the Champions League due to the squad they had before and now with him on top. I was surprised by his decision, I did not think he would go from Madrid nor that he would go to Juventus. There were so many teams and I heard less about Juve but it is a very good team."

Ronaldo is yet to get off the mark in three competitive outings for Juventus, while Messi has four goals already this term.

ID:334920: cacheID:334920:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2394:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid full-back Marcelo reacts after winning the Champions League in 2018
Read Next:
Marcelo 'desperate to join Juventus'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!