Messi vs. Ronaldo Ballon D'Or 2012 Bout : Messi Scores 91st Goal to End 2012; Ronaldo Continues Losing

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.

As Latinos Post compares both players, let us look at what the two superstars accomplished during the 17th week of La Liga and attempt to determine who had the better performance.

Messi: The Argentine ended 2012 with his 91^st goal of his historic year. He scored in the 59^th minute of the match by putting the ball past a defender to give Barcelona a 2-0 lead in their 3-1 victory over Real Valladolid. The goal ended up being the game winner and helped Barcelona to a 16 point lead over Real Madrid in the standings.

With a nine point lead over second place Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Messi have a stronghold on first place. With 2012 out of the way and La Pulga in top form, it will be interesting to see if he can top his incredible year in 2013. He ended 2012 with 79 goals for Barcelona, 59 in the Spanish league, 13 in the Champions League, five in the Copa del Rey and two in the Spanish Super Cup.

Watch every goal of Messi's historic year below:

Ronaldo: There was a time not so long ago when the conversation surrounding Messi included Cristiano Ronaldo. But the slumping superstar has lost tremendous ground to his immediate rival and has looked pedestrian by comparison. While Messi continues to score goals, Ronaldo fails to score the big goals his team needs. Since Nov. 3 (12 matches) Ronaldo has only scored five goals in all competitions. Meanwhile his rival has scored 18 goals in that span (13 matches). This week Ronaldo and his squad continued to embarrass themselves when Real Madrid lost 3-2 to Malaga and fell 16 points behind Barça for first place in the league. Ronaldo was a non-factor.

Stats through Week 17

Messi: 26 goals, 5 assists (5 goals, 2 assists in UCL; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 2 goals in the Copa Del Rey)

Ronaldo: 14 goals, 3 assists (6 goals in UCL, 1 assist; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 1 goal in the Copa Del Rey)

Edge: There can be no doubt about it. Messi won and scored his record 91^st. Ronaldo did not score and lost with Real Madrid. And for those interested, Messi should have the Ballon d'Or locked up. If he surprisingly loses it, Ronaldo will not be the winner. Look for Ronaldo to wind up in third place in voting.

Messi 11-6.

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

Read about past Weeks

Week 1, 2, 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

Week 16