Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two biggest superstars in international soccer. The 2013-14 season is underway and the two players are back on the pitch and ready to lead their respective teams to Spanish League titles. Like last season, Latinos Post will do a weekly piece on the two superstars' progress and which was the better performer for his club.
Week 1
Messi started the 2013-14 season for Barcelona with two goals and one assist in his club's 7-0 thumping of Levante. Messi scored his first goal of the season at the 12-minute mark before adding a 42-minute penalty conversion. He was taken off in the 70th minute of the match but produced six shots on goal.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo played well against Real Betis in Madrid's opener, but failed to score despite putting up 11 shots on goal. Madrid won 2-1, but Ronaldo did not register in the scoring.
Week 1 Winner: Messi obviously takes this one thanks to a two-goal performance; Ronaldo's punch-less first week keeps him out of the running. 1-0 Messi.
Week 2
Messi's second week in La Liga got off to a disastrous start as he was injured in the Spanish Super Cup first leg against Atletico Madrid. As a result he was left out of his team's second week meeting with Malaga.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo played for Madrid against Granada and produced nine shots on goal while assisting on Karim Benzema's game winner.
Week 2 Winner: Messi did play a portion of a match so he is counted in this comparison. Ronaldo was not great, but managed a key assist and is the winner. 1-1 tie.
Week 3
Ronaldo finally scored his first goal of the season in Madrid's 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao. However, as has been the case his whole career, he was bested by his rival.
Messi made a huge return in week three as he guided his team to a 3-2 win over Valencia. Messi scored his first hat trick of the season goals in the 11th, 39th, and 41st minute. Barcelona held a 3-0 lead after Messi's trio before conceding two goals before the half.
Week 3 winner: Messi's hat trick is simply too good to ignore. Ronaldo's single tally is nice, but no match for Messi's feat. Messi Leads 2-1.
International Break
The clubs took a break and the two superstars went to their respective countries for World Cup qualifiers. Ronaldo played in Portugal's qualifier against Northern Ireland and was absent for most of the game. However, with his team down 2-1 in the last 30 minutes, Ronaldo scored his first international hat trick and captained Portugal to a 4-2 win.
Messi returned to action for Argentina on Tuesday where he captained his squad to a 5-2 win over Paraguay to book passage to the World Cup. He scored twice, but both tallies were from the penalty spot 12 yards out.
International Break Winner: Ronaldo scored three clutch goals and none were from the penalty spot. Easy choice here: Tie 2-2.
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