Messi vs. Ronaldo 2013: Messi Sets New Records For Barca But Fails For Argentina; Ronaldo Absent For Portugal But Indispensable For Real Madrid

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will face major tests this week with their respective sides heading into the Champions league quarterfinals. Both players played key roles in their respective team's draws this weekend and also had impacts on their national sides. However, which player had the greater impact?

Messi: Messi continued to make Spanish league history by scoring in his 19^th consecutive Spanish league match; he has scored 29 goals in that span and now has a whopping 43 goals in 2012-2013 in just the Spanish league. More importantly, he assisted on Barcelona's second goal and was the catalyst in the team's 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo. On the international side, Messi had an embarrassing display in Bolivia as he missed a breakaway chance and proceeded to vomit due to the altitude in La Paz.

Ronaldo: Messi may have had a rough showing for Argentina on Tuesday, but Ronaldo was non-existent for Portugal in their victory over Azerbaijan; his booking during the team's 3-3 match against Israel last Friday was followed by a benching in the second match. Even though Portugal continued to prove itself a better side without Ronaldo on the pitch, Real Madrid proved that Ronaldo was essential to the side's success as he scored the lone goal in a 1-1 draw with Zaragoza.

Stats through Week 29 of the 2012-13 season

Messi: 43 goals, 11 assists (7 goals, 2 assists in UCL; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 4 goals in the Copa Del Rey)

Ronaldo: 28 goals, 5 assists (7 goals in UCL, 1 assist; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 6 goals in the Copa Del Rey)

Goals in 2013

Messi: 21

Ronaldo: 21

Edge: It's tough to make a decision here because bother players were major components in their team's gaining one point, but Messi's goal and assist edge out Ronaldo's lone goal.

Messi Leads 16-13 for the 2012-13 season.

Ronaldo has a 6-5 edge in 2013.

During week 5, both players earned a point for equally strong weeks. During week 10, neither earned a point for forgettable weeks.