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. Messi has had the edge over the last few years as Barcelona has been the supreme squad in European soccer, but Ronaldo may be having the best year of his career. Every week Latinos Post will be comparing both players and try to determine who had a better performance during the week.
Let us look at what the two superstars accomplished during the seventh week of La Liga.
Last week, Ronaldo's performance was superior to Messi's, and Latinos Post scoreboard of both players had Messi's lead cut to 4-3.*
Messi: The Argentine did not score in Barcelona's UCL match but he had two assists as the Catalonians defeated Portuguese squad, Benfica, 2-0 and extended their perfect season. His brilliant cross found Alexis Sanchez in the area to give Barca a 1-0 lead and then he added a second assist to Fabregas' goal in the second half. But Messi was at his best in the Clasico where he scored for the first time since September 19 against Spartak Moscow. In Sunday's Clasico the wizard scored one goal after the Madrid defense missed a clearing attempt. His second goal was pure genius as he blasted a free kick past the Madrid wall and into the far corner past keeper Iker Casillas.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid - Messi 61' by simaotvgolo12
Ronaldo: Ever since scoring the 90 minute game winning goal in the UCL match against Manchester City, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a man possessed with 10 goals in 5 matches. That includes a hat trick (3 goals) on Tuesday against Ajax Amsterdam and a brace (2 goals) against Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday. What was most impressive about his effort against Barcelona was his poise in scoring the second goal with his team down 2-1. Moments earlier, Ronaldo failed on a bicycle attempt that seemed to injure his shoulder.
Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid - C. Ronaldo 23' by simaotvgolo12
Stats through Week 7
Messi: 8 goals, 3 assists (2 goals, 2 assists in UCL, 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup)
Ronaldo 8 goals, 0 assists (4 goals in UCL, 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup)
Edge: Both players had splendid weeks and without them neither of their squads would have the success of a win and draw. But I will have to go with Ronaldo for scoring five goals this week to Messi's two. More importantly, without his clutch equalizer, Real Madrid would find themselves 11 points behind Barcelona in the Spanish League Standings.
Scoreboard is now tied 4-4.*
*Only 7 weeks have been played, but during week 5, both players earned a point for equally strong weeks.
Read about past Weeks
Week 1,2,3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6