Messi and Ronaldo Watch: Messi Hits Hat Trick, Ronaldo Leads Real in Blowout Win

Another week of football means another chance to evaluate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi led Argentina in a midweek friendly against Switzerland before sitting out Barcelona's home match with Sporting Gijon.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, traveled with Portugal to Poland before leading Real Madrid to a thumping home win at the weekend.

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Messi: International Hat Trick

Hat tricks for Lionel Messi are slightly more common than a Rolls Royce at a Mitt Romney rally. But until last week, the tiny Argentine hadn't scored three goals in a single international match.

No longer.

Messi scored all three goals for Argentina as the Albiceleste defeated Switzerland 3-1 last Wednesday in Bern. He opened the scoring in the 20th minute, combining with Sergio Agüero near the edge of the box before finishing at the back post.

Xherdan Shaqiri equalized for the hosts four minutes after halftime, but then Messi popped up with an 88th-minute winner and completed the hat trick three minutes into stoppage time.

That makes 22 international goals for Messi in 67 caps.

Ronaldo: International Stalemate

Portugal played out a scoreless draw with Poland in a midweek international friendly.

The contest was notable as the first match played in Warsaw's National Stadium, which will host the opening game and a semifinal of Euro 2012 this summer.

Portugal created the better chances, with Ronaldo coming close in the 38th minute and again with a free kick in the 69th.

Messi: Domestic Break

Messi was suspended for Barcelona's match against Sporting Gijon on Saturday, and his absence showed despite the fact that Barca won 3-1.

Andres Iniesta opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, but Barcelona ran into trouble after the break. Gerard Pique was sent off after committing a foul as the last defender, and Gijon equalized moments later.

But Seydou Keita rescued Barca with a winner worthy of Messi in the 79th minute (video at left). Xavi added a third three minutes before time.

Ronaldo: Another Goal for Real

Real Madrid crushed Espanyol 5-0 on Sunday night to restore their 10-point advantage atop La Liga.

Ronaldo scored the opener in the 23rd minute after an interception and nice work by Mesut Ozil and Gonzalo Higuaín.

Higuaín added two second-half goals, while Sami Khedira and Kaká scored one apiece for Real.

Ronaldo now has 30 league goals in 25 appearances this season.

Up Next

Barcelona are set to host Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday in the Champions League. Messi and his pals will be protecting the 3-1 lead they built in the first leg three weeks ago.

Barca then travel to Racing Santander on Sunday for a league match.

Real Madrid will travel to Real Betis on Saturday before resuming their Champions League run on March 14 at home to CSKA Moscow.

Real and CSKA drew 1-1 in the first leg in Moscow.