Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has revealed that Italian giants Juventus are clear favorites in the UEFA Champions League after securing the services of Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the same interview, Messi also admitted that he was left surprised by Ronaldo making the switch from Real Madrid to Juventus.
Messi also went on to add that the decision to sell Ronaldo will leave Real Madrid weakened. Ronaldo swapped la Liga for Serie A in a deal worth €100 million in July, after securing a third consecutive European crown, and his fourth in five years with Real.
Speaking to Catalunya Radio Messi said, “Real Madrid is one of the best teams in the world and they have a great squad but it’s obvious the departure of Ronaldo makes them less strong while Juve have become a clear favorite for the Champions League.”
The Argentine also added that he was flabbergasted by the move, “I was surprised, I didn’t imagine him leaving Madrid or that he would go to Juve because there was talk of many clubs (interested). The truth is I was very surprised but Juve are also a very good team.”
After disappointing seasons in the Champions League recently Messi believes it is now time to win the competition they won back in 2015, “It’s time to win the Champions League. We’ve been knocked out in the quarter-finals three seasons in a row and maybe the last one was the worst of all because of the result and how the match was played
