Messi denied a France repeat in the World Cup final. Now the KING returns back home to France to deliver a long-awaited Champions League title back to France 30 years later by denying a Real Madrid UCL repeat!

Messi would win his 44th knockout tie in the UCL final for his 1st title since at FC Barcelona to help the State of Qatar win a champions league title for its club PSG following his World Cup win with Argentina. I like Lionel's 31st knockout win to occur vs Madrid instead of Man City. I like his 43rd knockout tie to occur at Manchester.

Real Madrid defeated Paris Saint-Germain on the 9th of March (9/3). Paris will dethrone Real, who are 6-3 in the knockout since Ronaldo left after winning the 2022 final @ Paris. Real Madrid CF will lose the final with Frenchman Benzema, last year's Ballon d'or winner who did not participate in the World Cup. It would have a 9-4 knockout record since Ronaldo's departure after Messi wins Ligue 1 their 1st title since Marseille won in 93'.

1 year 3 months and 2 days (end day included) from the knockout loss vs Real, Lionel Messi will fight until the end to win the UCL final for the 1st time since beating Juventus in 2015. He got knocked out by Real and won the World Cup on 18/9 days; Real Madrid lose their 18th UCL final appearance vs Messi over 65 months after March 9, 2022.