Lionel Messi draws level with Cristiano Ronaldo in race for incredible Champions League record as PSG beat Juventus
LIONEL MESSI became the fourth player to feature in 19 editions of the Champions League as PSG beat Juventus.
The forward, 35, is now just one shy of Iker Casillas’ record of 20.
But in starting against Juventus Messi has equalled Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs on 19.
Messi made his Champions League debut against Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2004-05 season and has not missed the competition since, winning it on four occasions.
Ronaldo also featured in the Champions League for 19 consecutive seasons but will need to leave Manchester United to make it 20 in a row.
While CR7 is competing in the Europa League, Messi continues to impress at the highest level and played a key role as PSG beat Juventus 2-1.
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However it was Kylian Mbappe who stole the limelight with two terrific finishes at the Parc des Princes.
Neymar also caught the eye with a delightful chip to tee up Mbappe’s volley which opened the scoring, before the Frenchman played a scintillating one-two with Achraf Hakimi and fired into the bottom corner.
Shortly after half-time Juventus pulled one back as Weston McKennie powered home a far-post header from a corner.
But PSG controlled most of the match from then on although Gianluigi Donnarumma had to be at his brilliant best to deny Manuel Locatelli.
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At the other end Christophe Galtier’s side looked threatening on the break and Neymar almost wrapped up the three points with a rasping effort that went narrowly past the post.
PSG held on for the win to move second in Group H behind Benfica, who beat Maccabi Haifa 2-0 at home.