The biggest rivalry in world soccer couldn’t be any more even. Barcelona defeated Real Madrid and won La Liga, courtesy of Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres’ goals. Moreover, Barcelona have now tied the head-to-head record against Real Madrid with 106 wins for each side. When it comes to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it was the Argentinian wizard who held the upper hand.
According to DAZN, Messi faced Los Merengues 45 times during his Barcelona career. The Argentine recorded 19 wins, 11 draws, and 14 defeats, giving him a positive record against Barca’s fiercest rivals in La Liga. Although Messi played a big role in cutting down Madrid’s lead in the head-to-head record, Barcelona have now evened the scales, and won another league title since Messi left while doing so. Not only that, but Lamine Yamal has conquered another La Liga at the age of 18.
As for Cristiano, the Portuguese had his fair share of success against Barcelona, but his personal record is still negative. As reported by DAZN, Ronaldo finished his time in Madrid with eight victories, eight draws, and 14 losses against the Catalan side.
Messi’s history in ‘El Clasico’
Whenever Messi’s Barcelona took on Ronaldo’s Real Madrid, it was virtually guaranteed the two stars would make an impact. Numbers reflect that to perfection. Messi is the all-time leading goal scorer in El Clasico with 26 tallies against Real Madrid, including memorable moments like his dying-minutes’ game-winner in 2017 to score his 500th goal for Barca or his unstoppable run in the semifinals of the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Lionel Messi (right).
Needless to say, the sneaky forward was a constant headache for the club in Spain’s capital city. Messi no longer plays for Barcelona, but his name still sends chills down the spine of Madridistas.
Ronaldo’s goals tally against Barcelona
As for Ronaldo, Barcelona fans don’t have much better memories, either. Ronaldo is second—only behind Messi—in goals in the history of El Clasico with 18 tallies against the Culers. Arguably, Ronaldo’s most iconic goal against Barca was in the first-leg of the Spanish Super Cup in 2017.
The Portuguese netted a heat-seeking missile from the edge of the box to give Madrid the lead. Perhaps his celebration taking off his jersey to show off his physique became even more memorable than the goal in itself.
Ronaldo and Messi’s impact
Regardless, Messi and Ronaldo gave fans all across the globe unforgettable moments that will live on forever. Neither is still playing in Spain—in fact, both are now far away in Miami and Riyadh—but they will forever remain legends at Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabeu.
With every Clasico, their shadow still lingers over the rivalry, watching as new stars emerge and attempt to carve out their own place in a story that will forever be linked to Messi and Ronaldo.
