The debate began in 2009-10 when Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid. And it’s still going on today, especially when the Clasico comes around. Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi? Who is the best?

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With objective data, accumulated since the pair have both been playing in La Liga, is has to be said that both have achieved very similar statistics:

(Games played; Minutes: Goals: Right foot; Left foot; Headers; Other body part; Penalties (Goals); Free-kicks (Goals); Assists; Shots)

They have both played almost the exact same number of games: 212 for Messi, 211 for Ronaldo. They’ve also played the same number of minutes: 17,866 for Messi and 18,071 for Ronaldo. As for goals, it’s nearly equal as well: 235 Messi, 233 Ronlado.

There are slight variables, for example, in penalties and assists. The Real Madrid man has taken 52, while Messi’s taken just 36. That’s 16 more, while he has also scored 16 more. As for assists, Messi (87) has laid on 20 more goals than Ronaldo (67).

Opta’s data also reveals that Ronaldo is stronger in the air. He has scored 36 headers, while Messi has just 11 headed goals. Ronaldo leads the way in shots, too: 1,479 - 1,057.