Cristiano Ronaldo outscores Lionel Messi in 2011 - but the Argentine has the last laugh with five trophies to one

Barcelona versus Real Madrid is arguably football's greatest rivalry, but within the fascinating duel of Spain's superpowers there is an individual battle between two tremendous talents: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

They could not be more different. While the Argentine is an old-fashioned, street-style footballer who evokes a bygone era with his dazzling dribbles and mesmerising magic on the ball, the Portuguese is the complete modern player - all pace, power, precision and potency.

Messi and Ronaldo will go head to head - along with Xavi - for the Fifa Ballon d'Or in January and while the Argentine is expected to triumph in Zurich, 2011 has been a brilliant year for both players. Individually, Cristiano has the edge over the last 12 months, having netted an incredible 60 goals in 60 games, although collectively, Messi can claim the bragging rights, having led his brilliant Barcelona side to five more trophies under Pep Guardiola - La Liga, the Champions League, the Spanish Supercopa, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.

Ronaldo recently broke the record for the number of league goals in a calendar year. The former Manchester United man has netted 43 times in La Liga in 2011, surpassing Messi's mark of 42 goals set in 2010. And those 43 strikes have come in just 34 games, 27 of which were part of last season's record-breaking total of 40, which set a new Pichichi record in Spain's top flight. But that may yet be beaten this term as Cristiano has already scored 20 in just 16 league games for Jose Mourinho's side in 2010-11.

Ronaldo is often accused of failing to produce against bigger teams, however, and that point was raised recently as the 26-year-old disappointed in the 3-1 Clasico defeat to Barcelona. These stats appear to back up the claim, too, because Cristiano is less prolific against top-class opposition in the Champions League than in La Liga, where standards drop outside the top four or five sides.

For Portugal, the forward enjoyed a happy year in front of goal, scoring seven in nine games, but apart from the winner in a 2-1 success over Messi's Argentina, the other strikes came against lesser lights such as Cyprus, Luxembourg, Denmark and Bosnia.

And although he has shown a more generous side to his game of late, his total of 17 assists is still some way short of Messi's 28.

Madrid are getting closer to Barca, though, and much of that is down to Ronaldo. At his brilliant best, he may just inspire them to even greater things in 2012.

At the moment, however, Messi is still the main man. His international stats may be less impressive, but overall his numbers are very similar to those of Ronaldo. He has more assists than his rival, struck just a goal less than the Portuguese in 2011 - albeit in more games - and offers so much to a Barca side in which he is the undoubted star.

Messi may have hit 12 goals less than Cristiano in the calendar year, but his superior strike rate both in the cups and the Champions League proves he can perform against any adversaries. Indeed, in key games such as the Champions League semi-final and final, the Argentine delivered.

He falls down only internationally, hampered by a system which fails to get the best from his astonishing abilities. That remains a concern for Argentina as the South Americans look to take advantage of possessing the world's finest footballer in their ranks. No wonder, then, they have tried to copy Barcelona's formation in the past, attempting to replicate a system in which Guardiola moved Messi further forward, playing him inside, supported by Xavi and Andres Iniesta behind him. It's a frightening prospect for any side, and one which has led Barca to 13 trophies under their current coach - including five in the past 12 months. But as Pep always says: they couldn't have done it without Messi.

So even though Cristiano outscored Leo in 2011, it's the Argentine who ends the year on top because of his ability to perform on the grandest of stages - and the silverware he has claimed in the process.

But as their clubs commence battle again in the New Year and their own personal duel continues, it remains to be see who will come out on top in 2012.

Lionel Messi - Cristiano Ronaldo head to head, statistical data, expert analysis, and progressive season records

Goal.com compiles the statistical data, expert analysis, and progressive season records on two of the best players in the world, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

For this week's head-to-head, we look at the streaks and records that both players have amassed so far this season.

How they played this week

Who came out on top in the recent round of Primera Division action?


In the midweek 1-0 win over Valencia, Messi scored a pivotal winner late in the game when he slotted home Adriano's cutback, but missed a number of chances including an audacious chip over Guaita which sailed over the bar.

Barcelona had to labour to another 1-0 triumph at the weekend against Zaragoza, but Messi failed to find the back of the net this time. With Bojan Krkic leading the attack, Leo took on more of a supporting role and only managed one shot on target. However, he created the winning goal when he dribbled past three defenders down the right channel to the byline, before pulling the ball back for Seydou Keita to score. It was not recorded as a direct assist as it took a touch off a defender.

Goal.com Player Ratings Comment: Created the goal with a dazzling run which made his markers look like they were on rollerskates. Probably would have buried his half-volley in the 73rd minute on another day but a decent warm-up for the Champions League.


Returned to the scoresheet in style in midweek by bagging a hat-trick against Malaga. 

His first came when he traded passes with Mesut Oezil before sliding a low shot past the goalkeeper. He then onverted a penalty with a fierce shot into his top left corner, before completing his hat-trick when he connected with Sergio Canales' cross to tap the ball home at the near post from close range. He went on to substitute himself after picking up a hamstring strain.

The injury consequently ruled him out of Sunday's 3-1 win over Racing Santander, ending a remarkable streak of 26 consecutive league starts.

Goal.com Player Ratings Comment (vs Malaga): Voted Top of the Match by Goal.com editors and readers. Continues to amaze. Scorer of three goals, involved in pretty much all of the goals bar the opener. Played with a smile on his face, enjoying it. Took himself off after he scored his third, due to a possible injury.

Streaks and records

Cristiano Ronaldo's absence on Sunday against Racing Santander ended his run of making 26 consecutive starts in La Liga this season. 

Now, we look at some of the other streaks and records that both players have set in the 2010/11 league campaign.

	Messi	Ronaldo
Consecutive league starts	11 An ankle injury early in the season, plus being handed a rest by coach Pep Guardiola for the match against Levante on matchday 18, has limited Messi’s consecutive league appearances.	26 Ronaldo’s hamstring injury that forced him to miss Sunday’s fixture against Racing was the first match that the Portuguese missed this season. He started all 26 La Liga games prior to his injury, totalling 2500 consecutive minutes.
Scoring streak	5 From matchday eight through to match day 12, Messi was in sparkling form, netting both goals in the win over Zaragoza, then following it up with efforts against Sevilla, Getafe, Villarreal and finally with a treble against Almeria.	4 From matchday six through to matchday nine, Ronaldo embarked upon an astonishing run of scoring in front of goal, striking braces against Deportivo and Malaga, then a quartet of clinical finishes against Racing, before ending his run with a double against Hercules in Alicante.
Most goals in a single game	3 Messi has struck two hat- tricks in La Liga this season. He notched a treble in the resounding 8-0 win against Almeria, then struck all three goals as he put Atletico Madrid to the sword.	4 Ronaldo showcased his ability to finish with unerring accuracy in the 6-1 demolition of Racing, scoring three times from inside the penalty area before adding a fourth from the penalty spot.
Most consecutive assists	4 The Argentine created two goals in the 5-1 derby rout of Espanyol on match day 16, before providing the key pass on two occasions against Deportivo. An assist against Malaga then followed, before ended his streak by laying on a goal in the defeat of Racing.	3 Notched up an assist each in the first three games of the season. He set-up Ricardo Carvalho's winner against Osasuna, scored from a deflected freekick against Real Sociedad, which was credited to Pepe, and assisted Gonzalo Higuain against Espanyol.
Consecutive games without scoring	1 Messi’s sensational form in front of goal this season has meant that he is only ever one match away from netting in the Primera Division, and indeed there has only been six league matches where he has failed to find the target.	3 On three separate occasions Ronaldo has failed to score in three consecutive matches: the first three games of the season; matchdays 19, 20 and 21 which saw Madrid score just twice and drop five points; while his hat-trick against Malaga last midweek ended his second run of three games without scoring.

	Messi
Minutes Played	2253	2459
Goals Penalties   Free kicks  First goals	27 2 1 10	27* 6 2 5
Total Shots (On target)	118 (66)	197 (76)
Assists	15	8*
Passes	1743 (team total: 21,257)	1183 (team total: 15,10)
Passes Completed	1455 (team total: 18,635)	843 (team total: 12,279)
Fouls Suffered	42	70
Fouls Committed	16	19
Goal.com's Season Average Player Ratings	7.72	7.35

Goal counter

Keep track of Messi and Ronaldo's goal haul in all competitive club matches what is expected to be a record-shattering 2010/11 season...

	APPS	GOALS
LIONEL MESSI	39	43
CRISTIANO RONALDO	40	37

Messi is currently ranked top of the Castrol Rankings with Ronaldo second.

Irina Shayk shows no sign of rumoured pregnancy

She would be the ultimate yummy mummy - but Christiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina Shayk was showing not a shadow of any blossoming pregnancy last night as she posed on the red carpet in New York.

The stunning 25-year-old model was wearing a breathtakingly tight black and charcoal grey bandage dress at the premiere of new movie Happy Thank You More Please - and made a point of showing off her washboard tummy.

Just last week, Portuguese newspapers reported that footballing star Ronaldo, 26, was expecting his second child, this time with his gorgeous Russian girlfriend.

The Real Madrid striker was said to also be preparing for a summer wedding after proposing to the underwear model on Valentine's Day.

Newspaper Correio da Manha said she had been seen sporting a small bump - and was showing off a diamond engagement ring.

A friend of the ex-Manchester United star told the paper: 'Cristiano loves being a father.

Although they weren't planning having a baby so soon, the truth is that nothing makes him happier than his son. And the birth of the boy awakened Irina's desire to become a mother.'

The friend said Ronaldo's mum Dolores wants the couple to marry in the footballer's home town of Funchal, on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

Ronaldo is said to have jetted 4,000 miles from Barcelona to New York to propose on Valentine's Day.

The £80million footballing star has been dating Irina for 10 ten months.

Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina works the red carpet in eye-popping skintight outfit

She's already raised temperatures in sizzling lingerie shoots for GQ and lingerie firm Intimissi - but Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina Shayk showed last night that she's just as hot in clothes.

The 25-year-old model showed off her sizzling curves in a basque-style sheer top, black stiletto Louboutin boots and incredibly tight PVC trousers for the launch of London-based designer Kinder Aggugini's latest collection for Macy's in New York.

The racy Russian posed on the red carpet with her friend and fellow model Hilary Rhoda, 23, famed for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimwear Issue.

The party was held at the Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC and was also attended by Keith Richards's model daughter Alexandra, 24.

Irina and footballing ace Cristiano, 25, met when they both featured in an advertising campaign for the Armani Exchange fashion label and have now been together for a year.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo's sister is claiming that her brother is not involved in a custody battle over his little boy as reported earlier this month - because the mother of the baby is 'dead'.

The Portuguese star made headlines last July when out of the blue, he announced that he had become a father.

According to today's Sun, Katia Aveiro spoke out after a story emerged that the baby's mother was battling to see her son.

She said:'There is no woman calling him. There is no mother, no telephone calls, nothing. His mother died. The baby doesn't have a mother.'

'The boy is ours. I'm not going to say how he arrived with us. But I guarantee he's my brother's son, my nephew, from our blood.'

The Real Madrid winger had said from the start that the child, called Cristiano Ronaldo Junior, would be under his 'exclusive guardianship'.

'Of course I change nappies,' reveals Cristiano Ronaldo as he speaks about fatherhood for first time

He may be the world's best paid footballer, but new father Cristiano Ronaldo isn't afraid to be a hands on father.

The Real Madrid star - who was bought from Manchester United two years ago in an £80million deal - revealed he sometimes changes his baby son's nappies.

Although his mother Dolores Aveiro is essentially responsible for the full-time care of Cristiano Jnr due to Ronaldo's career commitments, the footballer isn't afraid to get stuck in to the less favourable aspects of parenting.

Ronaldo said becoming a dad had made him more responsible and hopes his son will follow in his footsteps and become a giant on the football field.

Speaking for the first time about his role as a new father, Ronaldo said: 'Of course something like this affects you. It's a different type of responsibility.

'Maybe I feel more comfortable. I'm comfortable when things are going well: my family, the club, my friends, that gives me important support for everything else.

'Of course I change the nappies. It's not the thing I like best in the world, but I do it.'

Speaking to Spanish sports daily Marca, he added: 'I would love him to like football, for him to be my successor, but we'll see what happens.

'My son will be whatever he wants.'

Ronaldo stunned the world on July 3 last year by revealing on Twitter, Facebook and his official website that he had become a dad.

His family later revealed the boy, Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr, was born on July 17 in the U.S. weighing 9lb 8oz.

The identity of the mother has never been revealed, but it has been reported that she is a 20-year-old British student who was paid £10million to give up her parental rights.

Ronaldo, who became the world's most expensive footballer when he left Manchester United for Madrid in summer 2009 for £80million, was this week named as the world's highest paid player on £10million a year in wages alone.

He hinted in the interview he might one day marry his girlfriend of one year Irina Shayk, a 24-year-old Russian underwear model, saying: 'One day, you never know. It's early.'

The footballer told Marca he has not allowed becoming a father to stop him getting a good night's sleep.

The Portuguese star said: 'I have to rest. There are lots of games and the best answer to this is rest. Eat and drink well, and rest. I'm in a good physical condition and I only do a little keep-fit.

'My son goes to sleep early, but my mother told me the other day, while we were playing, he was crying without stopping and didn't want to sleep until I scored a goal. I scored and five minutes later he was asleep.'

Ronaldo's mother Dolores, 55, is helping raise the youngster along with his sisters Katia, 33, and Elma, 35.

The baby made his first public appearance last December 8 in the crowd at a Champions League match at Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium against AJ Auxerre.

He was taken to the game by his grandmother Dolores and her partner Jose Andrade.

Ronaldo dedicated a goal to his son by sucking his thumb and pointing at the stand.

Cristiano Ronaldo: I could have joined Juventus

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo admits he could have joined Juventus.

Ronaldo almost signed for Juve ahead of Manchester United while a youngster at Sporting Lisbon.

He said: “Yes, there really was [interest]. Some years afterwards there was another Italian club who came forward in a more concrete manner and we almost signed. Then everything went up in smoke at the last minute.”

Asked to reveal the name of the Italian team, he said: “I can't possibly say.”