The first Champions League without Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo since 2003

The Argentinian left for Inter Miami and the MLS; the Portuguese plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia

Between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two have played in more than 350 Champions League matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo (187) is the player with the record number of appearances in the top continental competition; Leo Messi (163) is third. Between them, they have 270 goals in the Champions League and are the two top scorers in the competition.

Cristiano has won five; Leo, four. However, 2023/24 will be historic because neither of them will play in the competition. It will be the first time since 2003 that this has happened.

«It's an honor to play in the Champions League, the most important competition,» Cristiano said in an interview with UEFA in the past. The Portuguese holds countless records in the continental competition, and now he is preparing to take on new challenges: the Champions League… but in Asia.

«Being the top scorer in the history of the competition makes it even more special for me. This tournament is very important to me,» he added.

The Champions League is a special competition for the best of the best. Messi reflected on this last season, after lifting it several times… and failing in others."

«It is a very difficult competition to win… because it is not always won by the best, it is always decided by small details,» he said.

Cristiano Ronaldo's best season in the Champions League in terms of numbers was 2013/14: 17 goals in 11 games. He scored in every game he played except for the first leg of the semifinals against Bayern.

He ended that edition with victory in Lisbon against Atletico Madrid. In 2015/16 he would win again, once again against the local rival. He ended that year with 16 goals in 12