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 18th week of La Liga and attempt to determine who had the better performance.
Messi: The Argentine picked up where he left off, scored a goal and added an assist as Barcelona rolled to a decisive 4-0 win over Espanyol. Messi's goal was the fourth for Blaugrana. The goal was the first of 2013 for Messi who scored 91 in 2012.
Ronaldo: The Portuguese star got 2013 off to a tremendous start and Real Madrid picked up a 4-3 win over Real Sociedad. Ronaldo was awarded the captain's armband and it seemed to propel him to his best play in a long time. He had 14 shots (five on net) and scored a deuce. His first goal gave Madrid a 3-2 lead. Ronaldo ran onto the ball and used his left foot to chip the ball over an oncoming keeper. However, his second goal was a beautiful shot off the set piece that gave Madrid a defining 4-2 lead. After scoring the goal, Ronaldo ran over and hugged coach Jose Mourinho.
Stats through Week 18
Messi: 27 goals, 6 assists (5 goals, 2 assists in UCL; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 2 goals in the Copa Del Rey)
Ronaldo: 16 goals, 3 assists (6 goals in UCL, 1 assist; 2 goals in Spanish Super Cup; 1 goal in the Copa Del Rey)
Goals in 2013
Messi: 1
Ronaldo: 2
Edge: Messi continued his exceptional play, but Ronaldo has won this round for the first time since Week 14. Messi scored the fourth goal on a penalty in a match that had already been decided. Ronaldo's two goals proved to be the difference in a match where Madrid played with one man out during 84 minutes. His set piece goal was a thing of beauty that superseded anything Messi did by a long shot. Ronaldo wins the first week of the new year.
Messi Leads 11-7 for the 2012-13 Season.
Ronaldo Leads 1-0 for 2013.
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
Week 17
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