Cristiano Ronaldo’s individual battle with Lionel Messi could be over after his move from Real Madrid to Juventus, according to Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde.

Ronaldo and Messi fought among themselves to be the best player in the world during the nine years the former Manchester United forward spent at Madrid. But Valverde said Ronaldo’s €112million switch to Serie A calls time on the pair’s tussle.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s nine years in Spain saw him pitted against Lionel Messi. As El Clasico rivals Real and Barcelona battled it out. And the duo went head-to-head for the Ballon d’Or award. Both won 5 Ballon d’Or each. Only Kaka beat them both to the prize in 2007.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the best football clubs. Barcelona have been on top domestically, winning the La Liga consistently durong recent seasons. Real Madrid have won the Champions League in four of the past five seasons. Ronaldo was typically inspirational in their successes.

But now Ronaldo and Messi will not face off this season. Unless Barcelona take on Juventus in the Champions League. And Valverde claims the fact the pair will be playing in separate leagues means their battle has come to an end.

“Ronaldo leaving would seem to have ended the competition between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo because people rarely mention one without mentioning the other.” Valverde told Barcelona’s official website. “A lot of people are interested, me too, to see how it will affect Real Madrid’s football and what they might do in the transfer market, and also knowing that Ronaldo is at another club and what that might mean for La Liga and the Champions League too,” Valverde added.

Do check out : Real Madrid in serious need of a new galactico signing!

For more information visit our site, TechnoSports. And download our app from the Google Play Store for more real-time updates. To download the app, click here.