El Clasico: Cristiano Ronaldo v Lionel Messi – which superstar has a better record in the biggest game of all?

Ahead of Saturday's clash at the Bernabéu, marvelbet369.compare Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's records in the El Clásico.

The El Clásico over the past few seasons has undoubdtedly been headlined by the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two best players in the world vieing for supremacy in the historic club fixture. But with the Argentine superstar fighting to be fit for Saturday's game following a knee injury, let's take a look at who comes out on top when comparing their statistics in the world's biggest club rivalry.

Lionel Messi has the most goals of any player in El Clásico history with 21, these include two hat-tricks which is also a record, albeit shared with Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas. He also holds the all-time record for assists with 13. Ronaldo has managed 15 goals in the fixture but holds the record for scoring in consecutive games, with seven goals over six straight matches. The Portugese is also the only player to score in consecutive away El Clásico both times grabbing braces.

However when considering that Messi has more El Clásico appearances, Ronaldo having only moved to Real Madrid before the 2009-10 season, their records look a lot more even.

Since Ronaldo's world record move in 2009 the players have faced each other 23 times in Barca-Madrid games and Messi has scored the same amount as Ronaldo in that spell- 15. Messi's Barcelona have won 11, Ronaldo's Madrid were victorious in six whilst they have drawn six times. 

There has never been a goalless El Clásico when both players have featured and almost everyone except Madrid fans worldwide will be hoping to Messi can return in time for the game. Though Barca's talisman has looked sharp since returning to training this week, a decision has been not been made on whether he will play despite reports that he will be amongst the substitutes. Barcelona and Real Madrid go in to the game sitting 1st and 2nd in La Liga repectively, separated by just a point.