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#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.
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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.
