The soccer world always knew the day would come when Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would ride into the sunset. That day may be closer than expected after both stars were eliminated from Champions League play on consecutive days.
For the first time since the 2004-05 season, the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals will not feature either star, which comes just seven months after the first UCL semifinals without Messi or Ronaldo in 15 years.
Despite Messi's goal-of-the-season candidate against PSG on Wednesday, Barcelona couldn't overcome a 4-1 first-leg deficit as it tried in vain to channel 2017's La Remontada.