Messi vs. Ronaldo 2013: Superstars Provide Peak Performances Leading Up To 'Clasico'

By David Salazar (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Jan 27, 2013 09:01 PM EST

Tags messi vs. ronaldo, lionel messi, cristiano ronaldo, Soccer, clasico, la liga 2012-13

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 21th week of La Liga and like this attempt to determine who displayed better performance.

Messi: The Barcelona superstar had one of the best weeks of his career as he scored five goals in two matches. In the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals matchup with Malaga he scored the fourth of Barcelona's goals in a 4-2 win. On Sunday he had a tremendous night as he lit up Osasuna for four goals in a 5-1 Barcelona victory. Messi scored in the 11^th minute, the 28^th, the 56^th, and the 58^th minute. He has been on fire of late and is in perfect form heading into Wednesday's Clasico.

Ronaldo: Ronaldo's week was just as potent as Messi's. He was shutout by Valencia in the second leg of the Copa del Rey Quarterfinals match but he made up for it with a three-goal performance against Getafe on Sunday. Ronaldo scored in the span of 13 minutes in the second half to lead the squad to a 4-0 win. Ronaldo is clearly excited to play the Clasico on Wednesday as he is at the top of his game after Sunday's match.

Stats through Week 21 of the 2012-13 season

Messi: 33 goals, 8 assists (5 goals, 2 assists in UCL; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 4 goals in the Copa Del Rey)

Ronaldo: 21 goals, 4 assists (6 goals in UCL, 1 assist; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 4 goals in the Copa Del Rey)

Goals in 2013

Messi: 9

Ronaldo: 10

Edge: Both superstars had tremendous weeks, but this really comes down to goals. Messi scored five and Ronaldo scored three. Messi's four-goal game trumped anything Ronaldo accomplished this week.

Messi Leads 12-9 for the 2012-13 season.

Ronaldo has a 3-1 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.