UCL 23/24: Messi and Ronaldo Sent Message by Former Chelsea Player

• The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League kicked off yesterday across Europe
• It was the first edition without Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo since 2003
• A former Chelsea player claims that life goes on without the two superstars

The UEFA Champions League is back for the 2023/24 season, and it will be without two of its biggest superstars.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated football for almost two decades, but both men bowed out of Europe before the start of the new season.

Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia Pro League to join Al-Nassr after the World Cup following the termination of his Manchester United contract, while Messi ran down his PSG contract to join Inter Miami in the MLS.

It's the first season since 2003 that neither of the two global stars will be playing in the UEFA Champions League, with reigning Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema also out of Europe.

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Football

Europe misses Messi and Ronaldo

The first round of matches for matchday 1 of this season's Champions League were played yesterday. Former Chelsea and Manchester City star, Terry Phelan, speaking ahead of the matches, had a message for Messi and Ronaldo. He said, via Sportskeeda:

"Life goes on, doesn't it? Clubs go on," he said. "Obviously, Ronaldo's gone. He left Manchester United. He's won everything he could win in Europe. Messi's gone to David Beckham's Inter Miami. Life goes on and surely they will be missed."

Phelan added that European football still has stars who can make the competition enjoyable, including Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Vinicius Jr.

"There are upcoming stars, who can score goals. I think the world goes on and football definitely goes on," he said.

As noted by Marca, Messi and Ronaldo have 350 games, 277 goals, and nine UCL trophies between them.

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Football

Provedel joins exclusive list

Sports Brief also reported that Lazio goalkeeper, Ivan Provedel scored against Atletico Madrid to rescue a point for the Italian side in the last minute of the game.

He joins an exclusive list of four goalkeepers to score in the competition, including legendary Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. His goal was also the first open-play goal for a goalkeeper since 2009.