Lionel Messi is experiencing a resurgence this season. On Tuesday night, he put on a sensational display for Paris Saint-Germain against Maccabi Haifa. He had two assists and a brace. The final score of Tuesday’s Champions League match between the two teams was 7-2.
Maccabi Haifa’s 7-2 draw was reminiscent of a Messi at his best: every touch on the ball seemed like a threat.
The masterclass that Messi gave will add to the frustrations of his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo has been relegated to the bench for most of the season with limited playing time.
Reduced time on the pitch has not only restricted his opportunities to improve his own account, but would also have blunted his acuity in front of goal.
Messi’s two goals bring his total to 80 in 85 Champions League group stage appearances (via The Mirror).
His Portuguese counterpart stands at 73 goals. Ronaldo’s account has not been helped by being in a dilemma with boss Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils failed to qualify for the Champions League, but will play in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Argentine great also set another record. At 35 and 123 days old, Messi is now the oldest player in Champions League history to record a brace and two assists in a single match.
Two years older than him, Ronaldo has accomplished the same thing before.
His most recent feat was Real Madrid’s 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. At that time, November 25, 2015, the Portuguese attacker was 30 years old.
The legacy still stands
Ronaldo still has a lot of records that remain intact.
He is the only player to date to have scored in three Champions League finals. He is also the Champions League’s all-time leading goalscorer, affectionately known as “Mr. Champions League”.
Ronaldo’s sentence for his petulance against Spurs is over. He will be keen to remind the world of his prowess in front of goal against FC Sheriff on Thursday night.
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