After Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rivalled each other for goals, records and titles in LaLiga over nine years, the FC Barcelona captain has now explained what Real Madrid are missing since his arch nemesis left.
Messi gave a revealing interview with Mundo Deportivo this week and was also asked how much Ronaldo's departure has impacted Real.
"They have lost a great source of goals," he said.
"That's something obvious but he did offer plenty of other aspects but when a side loses a source of 50 goals a season, you're going to notice that.
"Madrid do have fine players but Cristiano was a guarantee to bag 50 goals per campaign."
Ronaldo and Messi battled each other for the Pichichi award for the top goalscorer in LaLiga, with the Portuguese winning it thrice during his stint at Real, while Messi won it five times over the same period and has added another one last season.
During his time in Spain, Ronaldo became Real's all-time record goalscorer, netting 450 times in 438 games, while he has also climbed into second spot among the top scorers in LaLiga history, with only Messi ahead of him.
Ronaldo lifted 16 trophies during his stint at the Santiago Bernabeu, while Real have only managed to add another two since he has left the club.
