Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo - season by season comparison of their goal scoring records

7. 2010-11

A quite remarkable season unfolded the next year as Jose Mourinho rolled into town and took up his place in the trenches against Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona side. During a season that the Catalans dominated, winning La Liga by four points over Real, and the Champions League after beating Manchester United, Lionel Messi upped his game as a false nine to ffinish with his first ever 50 + goals-a-seaon tally.

Cristiano Ronaldo, though, was not about to let him go and unbelievably, having played a game less, smashed in the same number of goals as Messi! That second season was the first proper indicator that the Portuguese was being pushed to ever greater heights by the comparisons he elicited with Messi.

Pichichi Award winner – Cristiano Ronaldo (41)

Champions League Golden Boot – Lionel Messi (12)

FIFA Ballon d’Or winner – Lionel Messi

GOAL TALLY

Lionel Messi: 53 in 55

Cristiano Ronaldo: 53 in 54