With Matchday 1 of UEFA Champions League 2023-24 set to start, this would be the first-time that the competitors will likely be with out Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi bid goodbye to European soccer on this yr’s summer season switch window and departed PSG as a free agent. He had an unceremonious exit from Paris, the place he was booed by followers in his last fixture for the membership and joined David Beckham’s MLS staff Inter Miami.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo additionally had a tragic exit from European soccer, as his contract was terminated by mutual settlement with Manchester United through the 2022 FIFA World Cup, resulting from a controversial interview with British journalist Piers Morgan. In the interview, the Portugal star criticised the membership’s hierarchy and supervisor Erik ten Hag. After the World Cup, he joined Saudi Pro League facet Al Nassr, in a deal value 200 million euros per yr.
The pair had been the most important points of interest in each Champions League season for a few years, and now their absence will see different stars take up related roles for followers. Speaking throughout a media interplay, former Chelsea and Manchester City defender Terry Phelan feels that the duo will not be sorely missed as there are different ‘high quality gamers’ who may nonetheless take the followers off their seats.
“Life goes on, doesn’t it? Clubs go on. I don’t think any player is bigger than their club. It is exciting for managers now. I think if you look at PSG, they had three of the best forwards in the world, Neymar, Mbappe and Messi. They couldn’t hit it together, any manager would have liked to have them. 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. If you look at PSG, I think Messi didn’t really settle in Paris. I think it was a poor move for him to tell you the truth and it didn’t really click”, he stated.
“We still have stars in the Champions League. Jude Bellingham is there, Erling Haaland is there, Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane are there with Bayern Munich. Everybody will be looking at him to see what he can do. Ilkay Gundogan for Barcelona. Vinicius Jr. There are upcoming stars, who can score goals. I think the world goes on and football definitely goes on”, he additional added.
But the 56-year-old additionally opined that aside from Kylian Mbappe, no person else is in the identical stage as Ronaldo or Messi in Europe at the moment. “There are wonderful players, probably not as big as Messi or Ronaldo. Only Mbappe is at that level. If you look around, there are still some quality players”, he acknowledged.
Meanwhile, followers may even count on Manchester City to start their title defence on a robust observe. The defending champions face Group G opponents Crvena Zvezda, on the Etihad in Manchester. But Pep Guardiola will likely be cautious of Bayern Munich’s menace of their goal to retain the trophy. The Bundesliga giants have bolstered their facet with the arrival of Harry Kane and the English striker has had an immediate influence.
Naming his prime contenders for this season, former Bengaluru FC head coach Ashley Westwood stated, “Obviously Manchester City. They are most likely one of many fundamental favourites. They began the season properly within the Premier League, 4 wins out of 4. They gained the treble final season and strengthened their staff as properly. They have made a few respectable signings. Obviously Real Madrid, with Jude Bellingham, they’ve clearly began this season very properly. For England the opposite day, Bellingham was most likely one of the best participant on the pitch.”
“The other team that stands out has to be Bayern Munich, with the addition of Harry Kane. He seems to be forming a formidable partnership with Leroy Sane in particular. They have started the season very well. Bayern Munich were always strong. They have got fantastic players, fantastic attackers, good midfield players. Last season, they were missing that center-forward and now they have got Harry Kane. So, for me I will be very amazed if one of those teams doesn’t win the Champions League this season”, he additional added.
The UEFA Champions League 2023/24 will likely be reside telecast on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 5, Sony Sports Ten 1 HD, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD channels from September 19, 2023, 10:15 PM onwards.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
