Messi breaks silence on Ronaldo's departure Real Madrid exit

Ronaldo and Messi in a past La Liga match [Courtesy]

Lionel Messi has finally broken his silence on Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid - and believes it's made the Spanish giants considerably weaker.

Ronaldo stunned the footballing world this summer when he left Real Madrid and La Liga behind after nine very successful years and put pen to paper with Juventus in a deal worth £105million.

Messi has been tight-lipped over his rival's transfer, which has watered down El Clasico somewhat, but has finally spoken out on the impact it has had on Real Madrid, and his surprise in Ronaldo leaving.

"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," Messi told Catalunya Radio.

"It surprised me. I didn't imagine him leaving Madrid or joining Juventus. There were a lot of teams that wanted him. It surprised me, but he has gone to a very good team."

"It surprised me. I didn't imagine him leaving Madrid or joining Juventus" - Messi on Ronaldo [Courtesy]

Messi has won four Champions Leagues during his time at Barcelona, but the club's last success in the competition was all the way back in 2015.

Since then Real Madrid have won it three times on the trot with Ronaldo very much orchestrating those successes.

The Portuguese has his heart set on winning a Champions League with Juventus, which will be their first since the 1995/96 season.

But Messi is looking to upset the apple cart and ensure its Barcelona's name that gets etched on the famous trophy this campaign.

Messi thinks Ronaldo has joined a 'very good team' [Courtesy]

He added: "It's time. We have been knocked out in the quarter-finals in the last three seasons. Last season's result in Rome hurt especially, but we have a spectacular squad and we can fight for it."