Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: La Liga's Two Best Players, by the Numbers

There is no question that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two greatest players currently plying their trade in La Liga (if not the world).  They are the best players on the best teams.  If we're honest, they lead the only two clubs with even a remote chance of winning the championship each season.

We're into the final stretch of the Spanish season.  Although Barcelona's hopes are not quite dashed, it appears that Real Madrid will be hard-pressed not to win the title.  As it stands, Ronaldo and company hold a 10-point lead at the top with only 13 games remaining in the domestic season.

Both Messi and Ronaldo have their teams progressing steadily through the Champions League.  And whatever happens in La Liga, you can bet both will be focused on triumph in Munich come May 19th.

But whatever they may accomplish the rest of the season, let's take a look at what they've done so far.  Here are the two best players in the world, by the numbers:

Goals

Messi: 28 (La Liga), 7 (CL)

Ronaldo: 30 (La Liga), 4 (CL)

The race for the Pichichi is the headline number everyone focuses on.  Ronaldo has his nose in front and must be the favorite as Real Madrid seem to put up big scorelines each round in La Liga.  Messi has the edge in Champions League goals (where he leads all scorers), but the real stiff competition in that tournament is only just getting underway.

Assists

Messi: 9 (La Liga), 4 (CL)

Ronaldo: 7 (La Liga), 2 (CL)

This should come as little surprise because of two factors.  One, Barcelona emphasize team play to a greater degree than any other club in the world.  And two, shortly after crossing midfield, Ronaldo believes he is in shooting range.  Still the similarity in these numbers gives a bit of the lie to the popular perception of Ronaldo as a preening individualist.

Shooting

Messi: 129 (76) La Liga, 41 (20) CL

Ronaldo: 164 (70) La Liga, 26 (14) CL

Ronaldo shoots more, Messi puts a greater percentage of his shots on goal...at least in La Liga.  The trend reverses itself in the Champions League where Ronaldo not only takes less shots per game, but also finds the target with a higher percentage.

Fouls Suffered

Messi:  50 (La Liga), 18 (CL)

Ronaldo: 64 (La Liga), 9 (CL)

This statistic is a testament to the game-changing ability of both players.  Messi is high on the list, but Ronaldo is fouled more than all but one other player in La Liga (Villareal midfielder Borja Valero is the most fouled, suffering a staggering 76 fouls on the season). 

Some of the difference lies in the approaches taken by their teams, with Barcelona's focus on quick ball movement relieving Messi of the attentions of some of his more venomous opponents.

The reversal of the statistic in the Champions League is magnified somewhat by Messi playing one more game than Ronaldo to this point.  But it could also indicate Barca's increased reliance on their star in European competition.

What Does It All Mean?

It means nothing of course.  The safer money says that both men will lift trophies this season (Ronaldo's Real Madrid winning the domestic title and Messi's Barcelona taking home the Champions League hardware).  But there are no guarantees in football.  That's what makes it fun to watch.