Messi and Ronaldo not in the UEFA Champions league quarters for the first time since 2005

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March 11th, 2021 For the first time since 2005 the UEFA champions league  quarter final will not have Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo after both their sides were eliminated from the competition this week.

 Barcelona were knocked out of the champions league by PSG with a 5-2 aggregate  . The Catalans settled for a one all draw in Paris despite a spirited fight to overturn the 4-1 deficit.

The Nou camp side had a number of chances but blew them including Messi missing a penalty just before the break.

PSG went ahead through a Mbappe penalty and Messi equalized with a superb 25 yards strike. However, while the result saw Barca fail to reach the last eight of the competition for the first time in 14 years, Koeman says the manner of their exit could help to persuade the Argentine to continue his long association with the club.

“Leo (Messi) has seen for quite some time that the team is improving thanks to all the changes we’ve made,” said Koeman.

“Particularly, we have young players of great quality. We’ve got a great future ahead. Leo can’t have any doubts about what the future holds for this team.

Ronaldo’s side Juventus were eliminated on Tuesday despite winning 3-2 in the night against 2004 champions FC Porto .

Old ladies of Turin were trailing 2-1 from Porto and needed a one nil win to go through but it was not to be as FC Porto scored twice to go through on away goal rule.

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