This season's first edition of everyone's favorite El Clasico encounter is upon us. Fans of “the beautiful game” eagerly anticipate the clash that will see La Liga's two most successful team lock horns.
Sparks and tempers are always expected to flare as great talents from our beloved sport take to the pitch, with the two hottest players in the globe taking center stage: Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo.
On going debate as to which of the two Liga BBVA stars is the best looks nowhere close to being resolved, but with the clash at Santiago Bernabeu drawing ever closer, we will look at stats from Messi and Ronald and let you be the judge.
When comparing the two's numbers in El Clasico, Messi predictably exceeds the Portuguese ace, considering the fact that the Argentine has five more seasons in the Spanish Primera Division under his belt when compared to the former Manchester United ace.
Lionel Messi's Barca career in numbers
INFOGRAPHIC: Lionel Messi's Barcelona career by numbers. #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/7EGO00nrCV
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 25, 2014
A La Masia graduate, Messi holds the record for highest goalscorer in El Clasico history with 21 strikes, compared to Ronaldo's 13, whilst the Albiceleste captain boasts the most number of assists as well (12), compared to Cristiano's one.
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has come face to face with the 2013 recipient 21 times, and Leo's Barcelona have come out on top twice as many times as the Portugal captain's Real Madrid, winning 10, drawing six, and losing five.
21 - Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi have faced in 21 Clasicos (Messi - 10W 6D 5L). Leaders. pic.twitter.com/X6NqLxLyOm
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 25, 2014
Which one of these two will come out on top this evening? #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/H7te63aCsW
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) October 25, 2014
Messi can become La Liga all-time leading goalscorer if he nets a brace past Iker Casillas
RECORD IN SIGHT ― Messi is 1 goal away from equalling Telmo Zarra's goalscoring record pic.twitter.com/QCoGnNnKVW
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) October 25, 2014
Now, a look from Cristiano Ronald's perspective. The 29-year-old attacker, who scored his 70th Champions League goal in the 3-0 win over Liverpool, only one shy of Raul's all-time record of 71, has scored a whopping 15 goals in eight La Liga outings, more than Messi and Neymar combined.
CR7's Real Madrid career in numbers
INFOGRAPHIC: Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid career by numbers. #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/uZtSaY2hiY
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 25, 2014
And whilst Messi aims at surpassing Telmo Zarra's La Liga record of 251 goals in the Spanish top-flight, only needing two more strikes to enter the history books, Ronaldo is also after his very own feat in La Liga, seeking a record 23rd hat-trick, overtaking Alfredo Di Stefano and Telmo Zarra's tally of 22.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Has scored as many goals in La Liga this season (15) as Lionel Messi (7) and Neymar (8) combined #Clásico
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 25, 2014
15 - Between them, Neymar (eight) and Messi (seven) have scored the same number of league goals as Ronaldo (15) this term. Battle
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 24, 2014
Totally random, but CR7 registers a goal every 3 shot. Now compare that to Balotelli
Stat of the day: Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal every 3 shots. Mario Balotelli scores a goal every 31 shots. pic.twitter.com/vy98FMdckV
— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) October 25, 2014
The Portuguese ace only needs one more hat-trick to become the player with the most number of hat-tricks in La Liga history
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 22 hat-tricks in La Liga, equalling Telmo Zarra & Alfredo Di Stefano's record. pic.twitter.com/gIltE5InUf
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 5, 2014