Who is better, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? The two greatest living soccer players not only compete in the same league but for rival squads. This week they will face off two times; let us take a look and see how the two superstars performed in the week leading up to their dynamic tilt.
Messi: The Argentine superstar had a rough week as he was completely stifled by AC Milan in the Champions League bout. The forward left completely ineffective and his team wound up losing 2-0. He made up for it in a 2-1 win over Sevilla days later when he scored the game winner. Despite the victory, Messi's inability to step up in the pivotal Champions League bout degrades his performance this week.
Ronaldo: Coach Jose Mourinho kept Ronaldo on the bench until the 56th minute against Deportivo La Coruna. Ronaldo's insertion reaped an immediate reward as the player added on assist in just 34 minutes of play.
Stats through Week 25 of the 2012-13 season
Messi: 38 goals, 9 assists (5 goals, 2 assists in UCL; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 4 goals in the Copa Del Rey)
Ronaldo: 24 goals, 5 assists (6 goals in UCL, 1 assist; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 4 goals in the Copa Del Rey)
Goals in 2013
Messi: 14
Ronaldo: 14
Edge: Messi scored a single goal in a victory, but was completely invisible against Milan in Barcelona's most important game. Ronaldo had a key assist in Madrid's 2-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna despite limited minutes. Hard to ignore Ronaldo's limited time this week, but Messi's game-winner emphasizes his clutch play.
Messi Leads 15-10 for the 2012-13 season.
Players are tied 4-4 in 2013.
During week 5, both players earned a point for equally strong weeks. During week 10, neither earned a point for forgettable weeks.