Tuesday night's game between Real Madrid and Liverpool awarded Cristiano Ronaldo the golden opportunity of breaking Los Blancos legend Raul's Champions League goalscoring record.
With 70 goals, the Portuguese superstar is only one shy of equaling the former Spain striker's tally of 71, needing to score a brace past Simon Mignolet in order to surpass to 37-year-old newly-singed New York Cosmos ace.
Coming up against the likes of Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure, a center-back pairing known for their defensive frailties, the duo did well to stop the 29-year-old from registering a goal at the Bernabeu, a performance which garnered praise for the Ivorian defender, in particular, across Twitter.
His failure to score, though, doesn't have the club's Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti worried, as the former AC Milan and Chelsea boss claims it is the two-time Ballon d'Or winner's “destiny” to leapfrog Raul in the goalscoring charts.
"The game went well, although we could not score the second goal," Ancelotti stated after the 1-0 win over the Reds.
"Cristiano tried to score many times, he combined well with others but was unlucky and the goalkeeper Simon Mignolet made some good saves.
"I'm sure that he will break the record, no problem. Was it anxiety? Well sooner or later he will break the record because this is the destiny of Cristiano."
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However, the former Manchester United attacker should be worried, very worried indeed, because while Ronaldo has to wait until Novermber 26's away encounter with Basel for another shot at Raul's record, Lionel Messi is gearing up for his opportunity this Wednesday.
CR7's goal in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield moved him to only a goal off of Raul's all-time UCL goalscoring record
Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 70th goal in Champions League history, one more than Lionel Messi (69). He's one off Raul's (71) UCL record.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 22, 2014
But after failing to net past the Reds at the Bernabeu, the Portuguese ace could be beaten to the Los Blancos legend's record by arch-rival Lionel Messi
GAME ON! Messi can equal Cristiano and close in on Raul when Barcelona face Ajax tomorrow #ajabar pic.twitter.com/mAfbuhbD7J
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) November 4, 2014
The Argentine ace is currently in Amsterdam as Barcelona prepare to face Ajax. La Pulga, who has been struggling with form recently, needs a goal to draw level with his Real Madrid rival, a brace to equal Raul's tally, and a hat-trick to become the Champions League's highest ever goalscorer in history.
Messi stats vs Ajax
Most goals against Ajax in the UCL: 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo 4 | LIONEL MESSI 4 | Roy Makaay 4 | José Callejon #AJAFCB
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) November 5, 2014
Messi in UCL: most goals against... 8 | AC Milan 6 | Arsenal 6 | Leverkusen 4 | AJAX 4 | Spartak Moscow 4 | Panathinaikos
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) November 5, 2014
Having already netted four times past Frank de Boer's crew on the European stage, none can bet against the four-time Ballon d'Or recipient scoring at the Amsterdam Arena, but as to whether the Albiceleste captain will be able to manage to register three past the Eredivisie giants remains unknown.
Will Messi beat Cristiano Ronaldo to Raul's record?
