MONACO, FRIDAY — An unusual moment was captured by cameras during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco, which ended on early Friday (30/8/2019), Western Indonesian time. Two soccer superstars, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, were seen talking as if they were close friends on the front-row seats of the event.Before the moment the two superstars, whose likeness were immortalized in the “Like the Gods” exhibition at the St Petersburg Art Museum in Russia, had never talked to one another when they appeared together. Their decade-long fierce competition to be Europe’s and the world’s best soccer player had somewhat turned their relationship cold.
However, things were seemingly warm between the two during the draw. Both were seen perplexed and joking about the speech by Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, who was awarded the 2019 UEFA presidential award. “As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods, they kill us for their sport,” Cantona said in his speech.
Without providing any context, the eccentric soccer-star-turned-actor’s speech baffled pretty much everyone, including Messi and Ronaldo. That particular part of the speech was actually taken from Shakespeare’s 1608 play King Lear. The stage play tells the story of English King Lear, who dies tragically after losing his power and his daughter.
Messi, who plays for Barcelona, and Juventus’ Ronaldo are both King Lears in the kingdom of modern football. The two players, who took turns winning the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player for an entire decade, have lost their throne in Europe. In 2019, the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year was awarded to Virgil van Dijk, the foundation of Liverpool’s success in winning last season’s Champions League.
In 2018, it was Real Madrid’s Luka Modric who broke Messi and Ronaldo’s domination. Together with Barca, Messi was last glorious at the Champions League in 2015. Afterward, there was only sorrow and even tragedy for him. In the latest two seasons, Barca was tragically defeated in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Last season, Ronaldo was also powerless in helping Juventus from the assault of the young team at Ajax, whose players performed energetically. Age has seemingly gotten to the 32-year-old Messi and 34-year-old Ronaldo. They have been ensnared by the same fate and are now facing similar enemies: young players, thirsty for titles and launching coups to take their position as “gods of soccer”.
“Hell” group
The challenge rears its head early, namely in the group stage. Barca is in Group F, which Spanish newspaper Marca calls the “hell” group. The soccer team has to compete with Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Slavia Prague to clinch one of two tickets to the knockout stage.
Like Ajax, Dortmund often plays explosively thanks to its roster of young players, including Jordan Sancho, 19, and Julian Brandt, 23, who are targeted by big teams. “At breakfast this morning, we discussed about this meeting with Barca. We want to have a party while facing them,” Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus said, as quoted by Goal.
Furthermore, Inter Milan should not be underestimated. Last season, Barca defeated the Italian team in the group stage. However, this season, Inter has undergone drastic change. They are evolving under coach Antonio Conte. This season, Inter has the duet of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanches and is aiming for glory in Italy and Europe.
Inter will be a test for Messi. Of the 112 goals he has scored and 39 clubs he has faced, Inter is one of five clubs that Messi has yet to score against in the Champions League. “Things like this happen. We are in a difficult group. Every year, it’s becoming harder to be a champion. However, as usual, I remain motivated,” Messi told UEFA TV.
Similarly, Ronaldo and Juventus are in a difficult Group D with Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. Atletico aims to be “hell” for Ronaldo, who has often scored goals against them. This time, Atletico has 19-year-old Joao Felix, who has been dubbed by many as “the new Ronaldo”. (JON)