Barcelona icon Lionel Messi has said he was surprised Real Madrid sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, and the move has weakened Los Blancos considerably.
Speaking to Catalunya Radio (h/t Sam Marsden of ESPN), Messi declared Juve as one of the favourites to capture this year's UEFA Champions League after Ronaldo's arrival, but added he believes it is time Barca captured another European Cup.
Messi said:
"Real Madrid are one of the best teams in the world and they have a great squad [but] it's evident that the absence of Ronaldo makes them less good and makes Juventus [one of the] clear favourites to win the Champions League.