Video Graphic Shows Lionel Messi And Cristiano Ronaldo's Incredible Numbers In Spanish Football

A fascinating live graphic showing the sensational statistics of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in Spain has been doing the rounds.

It comes after both five-time Ballon d'Or winners scored hat-tricks for their respective sides this week - with the two titans of world football still unable to be seperated despite them no longer playing in the same country.

The graphic, created by FDOR', gives a comprehensive overview of how the duo compared in their nine-year spell playing against one another from the 2009/10 season onwards in La Liga.

Goals, number of appearances, goals, assists, La Liga title wins and Champions League titles make up the video, which really highlights the quite ridiculous performance levels of both players.

Ronaldo finished his stint in the Spanish capital with an incredible 450 goals in 438 appearances but it's Messi who leads the race when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net. 472 goals in 476 games is plain silly.

He also usurps his rival in terms of assists, with 177 to 131, despite Ronaldo actually being the more creative player in 2009/10.

Messi bosses it as far as league titles are concerned, lifting four more than Ronaldo, but it's the Portuguese who claims victory in the final section thanks to Real's recent dominance of the Champions League - or 'the CR7 Champions League' as he wants it renamed.

The next time we could see Messi and Ronaldo do battle directly could well be in this season's Champions League final in Madrid.

UEFA announced the draw for the quarter finals and semi-finals on Friday morning and the stars appear to be aligning for mouthwatering showdown between Juventus and Barcelona.

It won't be the first time the pair have turned out in the same Champions League final as Messi scored an awe-inspiring header in Barca's 2-0 win over Ronaldo's United in Rome in 2009, but the rivalry has escalated to epic proportions since then.

Topics: Football News, FC Barcelona, Football, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Champions League, Spanish football, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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