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 Ronaldo 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 compares both players and tries to determine who had a better performance during the week.
Let us look at what the two superstars accomplished during the eighth week of La Liga.
Messi: After a tremendous week for Argentina, Messi picked up where he had left off to score a hat trick against Deportivo La Coruña. His hat trick was essential as Barcelona was terrible on defense. All three goals saw how potent Messi was at out running defenders and blasting from longer range. His first goal was a blast outside the box. On the second goal he ran past the defense into the right side of the box and shot it far post. The final goal was even more impressive as he spun around than ran at two defenders, cut left into the box and shot it into the far post to secure the hat trick. He now has eight goals in his last four games including 3 for the national team and 5 for Barcelona in two games. Despite his spectacular play, Barcelona will need some more heroics if they plan to continue their poor defensive display.
Ronaldo: After a poor week for Portugal, Ronaldo returned to to Real Madrid with a decent performance. He was far from his previous form in which he had two straight hat tricks in the Real Madrid jersey and even a two-goal performance against Barcelona. He scored one goal on a penalty shot, but he was held in check by Celta de Vigo.
Messi: 11 goals, 4 assists ( 2 goals, 2 assists in UCL, 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup)
Ronaldo: 9 goals, 0 assists (4 goals in UCL, 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup)
Edge: 3 goals, 1 assist as your team gives up 4 goals in a match? Messi was clearly the MVP for Barca in a poor defensive showing. Ronaldo scored the second goal of a 2-0 win from the penalty spot. Messi clearly takes this one.
5-4 Messi.*
*Only 8 weeks have been played, but during week 5, both players earned a point for equally strong weeks.