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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo headlined almost all El Clasico matches between 2009 and 2018. The two greatest players of this generation put in exceptional performances, proving time and again why they are rated so highly by fans and critics alike.
Lionel Messi, who recently left for Paris Saint-Germain, featured in 45 El Clasicos for Barcelona, netting 26 goals and registering 14 assists. The Argentine went toe-to-toe with Cristiano Ronaldo on most of those occasions and often came out with a smile on his face. Today, we will take a look at five such instances where Lionel Messi bested Cristiano Ronaldo. So, without further ado, here are
5 times Lionel Messi got the better of Cristiano Ronaldo in El Clasico
#5 Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona in La Liga 2017-18
Following a humiliating defeat in the 2017-18 Super Cup, Barcelona got the opportunity to make amends in La Liga, later in December 2017. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch that day, but it was Lionel Messi who made the scoreboard tick.
After a goal-less first half, Barcelona forward Luis Suarez hit the back of the net first in the second half. Then, in the 63rd minute, Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal saw red, which allowed Lionel Messi to convert from the spot and double Barcelona’s advantage. He then capped off the match with a cut-in for Aleix Vidal, who scored the Catalan team’s third on the night.
#4 Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona in La Liga 2013-14
Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid were at each other’s throats when the final El Clasico of the 2013-14 season took place at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Of course, the eyes were firmly set on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi — the two cover stars of every Clasico since 2009.
After Andres Iniesta’s initial strike in the 7th minute — which was set up by Lionel Messi, helped Barcelona ahead — Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema scored a brace to give the hosts the edge. Lionel Messi hit the back of the net just before half-time to restore parity. Cristiano Ronaldo converted from the spot in the second half to restore Real Madrid’s advantage.
However, the Portuguese superstar’s attempt was soon undone after Sergio Ramos was sent off. Lionel Messi scored two penalties against a 10-man Real Madrid to bag all three points, which also made him the leading scorer in El Clasico with 21 goals.
#3 Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid in the 2011-12 Spanish Super Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi met in the Spanish Super Cup in August 2011, which, on paper, was a glorified friendly encounter. However, when the two biggest teams in Spain went head to head ahead of the 2011-12 season, the word “friendly” lost all its meaning. The first leg was a riveting 2-2 draw, which saw Lionel Messi get on the scoresheet. However, it was in the second leg that he truly put on a show.
After Andres Iniesta converted from Lionel Messi’s exceptional defence-piercing pass, Cristiano Ronaldo managed to level things up for Real Madrid. Unfortunately for Cristiano Ronaldo and the away team, it was not enough. Just before the half-time whistle, Lionel Messi combined with Gerard Pique to give Barcelona the go-ahead goal. Karim Benzema equalized for the visitors, but Lionel Messi’s impeccable volley in the 88th minute allowed Barcelona to clinch a crucial 3-2 win.
#2 Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona in La Liga 2016-17
Barcelona and Real Madrid locked horns in the 2016-17 La Liga race and the last Clasico of the season, in April 2017, seemed to be a swinging point. Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid got their noses ahead thanks to a Casemiro strike just before the half-hour mark, but the joy was short-lived. Lionel Messi stepped up to score the equalizer before Ivan Rakitic completed the turnaround.
Substitute James Rodriguez hit the back of the net for Real Madrid, but it was not enough for Real Madrid to win a point. Lionel Messi latched onto Jordi Alba’s ball and slotted it through Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas to score the winner.
He celebrated his match-winning goal in iconic fashion by taking off his jersey and holding it out in front of the Santiago Bernabeu faithful. Cristiano Ronaldo, after being neutralized by Barcelona defenders, saw his greatest rival showing Madrid who the boss was.
#1 Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona in the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League
El Clasico is a super rare event in Europe’s greatest knockout competition, the UEFA Champions League. So, when the two teams locked horns in the 2011 semi-finals, fireworks were certain to fly. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were in the lineup for their respective teams, but it was the latter who further cemented his place as one of the greatest of all time.
In the first leg - at the Santiago Bernabeu - Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid hoped to take the fight to their league rivals. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi had other ideas. After Real Madrid’s Pepe was dismissed following a challenge on Dani Alves, Lionel Messi sprung to life. He gave Barcelona the lead in the 76th minute, latching on to Afellay’s cross and tapping it inside the near post.
His next goal, in the 88th minute, is still considered to be one of the greatest in the UEFA Champions League. Lionel Messi picked up the ball near the halfway line and beat the challenges of Lassana Diarra, Raul Albiol and Marcelo to slot the ball past Iker Casillas with his weaker foot, eventually winning Barcelona the match and the tie. Cristiano Ronaldo could do nothing to stop his rival from stealing the show.
