When it comes to breaking records, there’s no expert than the duo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The two have been together shattering as well as creating new records over the last two decades. This time however, the Argentine has poached one of the Portugal international’s Champions League records. Messi was at the heart of the things as PSG made a stunning comeback to clinch a win against minnows Maccabi Haifa.
The ‘La Pulga’ scored one and created one as the Parisians put three past the Israel club after they took a shock lead through Tjaronn Chery in the 24th minute. While Messi is guiding his team to victories in the European competition, Ronaldo is missing from action in the tournament. It is for the first time in his career, Cristiano Ronaldo, Champions League’s all-time top-scorer is not featuring in the competition. As a result, Messi has taken full advantage of the liberty to shatter the 37-year-old’s records.
Lionel Messi breaks one creates one record in the Champions League outing
Lionel Messi has been tasked along with his friends Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to steer the Parisian club to their first ever Champions League triumph. While last season they fell short after being knocked out in the round of 16 by eventual winners Real Madrid, PSG seem to be full of rage this season and determined to lift the trophy.
They have began their new campaign with a 100% record after registering win against Juventus on the opening match-day and now against Maccabi Haifa. However, this time they had to come from behind after being shocked in the 24th minute as Haifa took the lead. But it was Messi who equalized from a Mbapped assist, and later repaid the favour by setting up the France international who netted in the second half.
Neymar rounded-off the win in the 88th minute as PSG saved their blushes from going down against a low-key side. Meanwhile, Messi in the process broke his long time rival Ronaldo’s record of scoring against number of different teams in the Champions League. Maccabi Haifa was the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s 39th victim in the elite European competition, as he was previously on level with Ronaldo for netting against 38 different teams.
Further on, the former Barcelona attacker also created another record by becoming the first player to score in 18 consecutive seasons of the Champions League. This would certainly be the one record which Ronaldo won’t be able to share or break, since he is plying his trade in the Europa League this season. Manchester United’s sixth place finish in the Premier League last season meant Ronaldo and co. will be competing in the second tier Europa League.
Moreover, despite his mountainous efforts of escaping Old Trafford this summer, Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t find a club where he could have continued to feature in the top tier Champions League. The Europa too has been harsh on him after United were humbled by Real Sociedad in their Group E opener at Old Trafford. Nonetheless, early reports suggest that the five-time Champions League winner will once again try to find a new club where he could return to the elite European competition in January.