Trophies, titles, and records have become synonymous with the names Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
While Ronaldo has helped his Juventus side lift the Serie A title, it hardly holds the prestige he is used to given the lack of competition in Italy.
The last two seasons have seen the pair drop well below the expected levels on the continent.
At Real Madrid, Ronaldo made the Champions League his own. While Messi has struggled in Europe, he has helped his side take a stranglehold of La Liga and at least look competitive in Europe even if they were a tad behind Real.
This year saw Ronaldo for the second time in succession miss out on the golden boot in Italy.
Messi was Spain’s leading marksman, but what does it really matter? They ended the season without a drop of silverware.
Ronaldo and Juventus were dumped out of the Champions League by Ligue 1 paupers Lyon. While Messi and company were utterly humiliated by Bayern Munich.
In their respective cups, Napoli took advantage of Ronaldo and the Bianconeri, while Bilbao dispatched of Messi and the Blaugrana.
With CR7 now 35 and Messi 33, they are certainly in the twilight of their respective careers. But is it a step too far to say the golden generation of Messi, Ronaldo, and then everyone else is over?
