Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both returned to international duty on Friday after spells out of the fold - but neither made the kind of return fans had hoped for.
The talismanic pair had each missed their countries' last six games following disappointing World Cup campaigns, but both were frustrated as they made their comebacks on Friday.
Ronaldo cut a dispirited figure as Portugal laboured to a 0-0 draw against Ukraine in their opening European Championship qualifying outing in Lisbon.
Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov kept out the Juventus star from range in what was his only significant opening of the night, as the European champions failed to find a breakthrough on the opening night of their title defence.
Meanwhile, his former La Liga nemesis Messi made an even more disappointing return, as Argentina crashed 3-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano to South American minnows Venezuela in Madrid.
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Worse, the Barcelona man picked up a groin injury which will now keep him out of Tuesday's friendly against Morocco.
The injury, described as a flare up of an existing problem, is not thought to be serious.
Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon gave Venezuela a surprise lead inside six minutes before Jhon Murillo doubled the lead shortly before half time.
Lautaro Martinez halved the arrears before Josef Martinez compounded Argentina's woes by adding a late penalty.
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Messi had been in self-imposed exile since Argentina crashed out of the World Cup at the last-16 stage following a 4-2 defeat to France.
He had briefly looked like reaching something like his spectacular best in Russia when he scored a sensational solo goal against Nigeria in the team's final group game.
But Argentina's early exit ultimately reflected their's and their star man's limp performances throughout the tournament, with a 3-0 defeat to eventual finalists Croatia reflecting how far the team have fallen behind the world's best.
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