Clarence Seedorf has the unique distinction of being the only footballer in history to win the Champions League on three different teams (Ajax, AC Milan, Real Madrid).
However, once Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus, it was clear and obvious that his mark would be in jeopardy.
Despite having title-winning sides, Juventus have suffered unsavoury Champions League exits at the hands of Ajax and Lyon over the last two years.
Juventus last won in 1996 but reached the final in both 2015 and 2017, so it’s no surprise that Juventus with the aid of the Portuguese assassin are one of the tournament favourites.
“It’ll be a very nice pleasure to have Cristiano Ronaldo equalling my record. We could’ve talked about somebody different, right? So, I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” he told Goal.
“I will always be the first and that won’t change, and records are there to be equalled and to be broken, and Juventus can definitely always be competitors for the Champions League.
“As I said before, Cristiano is maintaining his motivation and his performances, so yeah. Why not?”
Seedorf is also confident that the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo still has plenty of life.
“I think if they are fit and motivated, they will continue to perform at a high level, both of them. I don’t see why they wouldn’t,” he said.
“The question is more: are we going to see some of the younger generation to step up their game?
“That’s what I’d like to see, because Cristiano and Messi have shown for the last 12-13 years the ability to continue to do their thing.”
Juventus have been placed in Champions League Group G alongside Messi’s Barcelona, Dynamo Kyiv, and Ferencváros.
