What they said?
NEXT STOP: 800
"750 goals, 750 happy moments, 750 smiles on the faces of our fans. Thanks to all the players and coaches who have helped me reach this incredible number, thanks to all my loyal opponents who have made me work harder and harder every day. Next stop: 800," Ronaldo said on Instagram after scoring the 750th goal of his remarkable career in a 3-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old has scored 450 goals for Real Madrid, 118 for Manchester United, 102 for Portugal, 75 for Juventus and five for his first club, Sporting.
'GIROUD A ROLE MODEL'
Chelsea's youngsters should look up to Olivier Giroud as a shining example of professionalism, manager Frank Lampard said after the 34-year-old Frenchman scored four goals in their 4-0 Champions League demolition of Sevilla on Wednesday.
At 34 years and 63 days, Giroud became the oldest player to score a Champions League hat-trick and also the oldest to do it in the European Cup since former Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas did so in September 1965 for Real Madrid against Feyenoord.
"He is the ultimate professional. He isn't always a regular but his performances have shown that he is a great sign for young players to keep training well," Lampard said after Chelsea secured the top spot in Group E with a match to spare.
'I WANT TO PLAY WITH MESSI'
Neymar dropped a bombshell on Wednesday as he followed up scoring twice for Paris Saint-Germain in their 3-1 Champions League win over Manchester United by revealing his desire to reunite with Lionel Messi next season.
The Brazilian enjoyed four successful seasons alongside the six-time Ballon d'Or winner at Barcelona before making a world record 222 million euro ($264m) move to the French capital in 2017.
"It's what I most want, to enjoy being with him on the field again," Neymar, whose contract at PSG runs until 2022, told ESPN. "I want to play with him for sure, next year we have to do it."
KOEMAN ROOTING FOR GRIEZMANN
Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman is pleased with Antoine Griezmann's improving confidence and form, as the French forward scored in three consecutive games for the club for the first time.
Despite missing several key players, including Messi, Barca beat Ferencvaros 3-0 away from home to maintain their perfect record in the Champions League.
"It is always a matter of trust of a player. As I said many times, Antoine has always worked hard to improve his game and effectiveness for the team," Koeman said after the match. "I hope he can continue with this effectiveness he's having lately."
'ANOTHER BARRIER HAS BEEN BROKEN DOWN'
With Juventus already qualified from Group G and Dynamo Kyiv already eliminated, the main interest was focused on Stephanie Frappart but the Frenchwoman was barely noticed -- usually regarded as a good sign for a referee's performance.
She became the first woman to referee a men's Champions League game who has already made history as the first woman to referee in Ligue 1. She took charge of the 2019 UEFA Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea and also made her Europa League debut in October.
"Another barrier has been broken down, we know that she is very good, which is the most important and fundamental thing," Juventus chief football officer Fabio Paratici said before the game of Frappart.
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