Ok guys, they are both out of this world and seem to find their best forms again recently. Both have scored 12 goals but statistically, Messi is better. We all know that Statistic aint mean everything in football, and the debate can go on forever. This year though, Real does not depend on C.Ronaldo one bit (Modric is the man), but Barca still very much depend on Messi in big games. Let's give some thought...

Source: Opta

This is probably one of the best rivalries in the history of sports. We are soooo lucky to watch these guys play. Can't wait for the game tonight.

The pic looks like Messi pointing to Ronaldo doing a wanker gesture :D

Hopefully for a win...

The gap between CR7 and Messi has definitely narrowed over the last 3 years. CR7 determination and drive has made him into a quite formidable athlete. Not that Messi doesn't work as hard as CR7, but he was blessed with an intuitive genius for football. Hard work vs Genius. CR7 is a role model for all the children who were not always the most technically gifted but have the determination and unmatched work ethic. CR7 had talent, but because of his phenomenal work ethic he is now one of the best. Both players are pushing the limits a breaking records. Another two players who are the young students of the game, soaking up wisdom Bale and Neymar. Both incredible talented and learning from the best the way Messi learnt from Ronaldinho and the way CR7 learnt from Giggs and Scholes. Hopefully they can reach the heights of their senior Masters and fulfill their maximum potential.
Tonight I hope to see a great game of football, may best team be victorious.

@Wofie, true! Ronaldo is disliked by a lot (including me) but noone can deny his professionalism, this working ethic on and off the field and his passion for football. He is definitely a role model for kids along side with Messi (a true genius and gentlemen). Like @KingHenry said: we are lucky to witness the best rivalry in history of football.

End of 1st half: 2 - 2. Everything has happened, BEST GAME OF THE SEASON so far for me. And to sum up the 2 rivalry:

• C.Ronaldo: 0 goal, 0 assist, 2 attempts, 1 failed freekick, lost ball several times, fairly quiet. Rate: 6.8/10.
• Messi: 1 goal, 1 assist (should have been 2 if Neymar didn't blew up), 1 big miss, 1 failed freekick. Rate: 9/10.

The 2nd half might be very different though.

Messi hatrick :) Sad the atmosphere didnt match the football. Kinda ruined it for me.

3 - 4 for Barca. Neymar made the most out of Ramos silly act, that changed the game and from there on Barca could have scored 2 more.

• C.Ronaldo: 1 goal (1 pen), 0 assist, below his average and still 6.8/10
• Messi: 3 goals (2 pens), 1 assists, constant threat... was the difference. 9.7/10.

What a game.. Neymar was HORRIBLE, and Bale wasn't so good either...

Yeah, Bale was below average. He had this amazing run where he fed Benz though. If he pulled off more of those, he would've made an impact.

Neymar and Bale are diving more than anything, i listed at least 3 clear dives from Bale 2 inside the box. Neymar should stop falling easily...
Real Madrid best player : Modric and Benzema.
Man of the game : Messi, first player to score a hattrick in Bernabeu in History, his passing skills are from another galaxy, the pass to Neymar before the penalty was GENIOUS.

@Tiki

Hey man, di Maria did better than both Benz and Modric today. 2 assists, and running up and down the pitch with endless energy.

@Dynastian98 Di María played like he was worth £86 millions. Best player in Real Madrid. Benzema comes in 2nd place. Either one of them did more than Ronaldo and Bale combined. I don't know what Ancelotti did to them but those two are on fire thanks to him.

YES ! Di Maria was possessed tonight !! And Ramos, what a liability for his team. I felt so bad for Benzema who was having one of the best games I've seen from him. And I agree that apart from the run that won the penalty (outside the box by the way) and the penalty itself, Ronaldo didn't do much. Messi was a league above him.

@KingHenry

Again with the "Ramos is a liability". Did you learn a new word or something? He's better than all the defenders on your team.

@Dynast I should have added him as well, but Modric touch was amazing, seems that you found your Iniesta.

Messi is BACK.

@tiki_taka: yes, the king is back, best highlight of Messi's game last night!

Di Maria was Real's best man yesterday.

Good display, Ancelotti is a fantastic manager. our team overall has shown many quality stuff tonight. Even if we lost, we are still 1 point on the top of the league and we not gonna let it go.

Messi- amazing game.
Neymar- good game.

Bale- Invisible.
CR7- clasico summed up.

Messi and Neymar finally proved to me that they have the superior partnership.

@Wolfie

Neymar actually did terrible. He wasn't linking up well at all. A good game of him and Messi linking up is their 3-2 win at Valencia. Pedro made a big difference when he came on for Neymar. Barca looked much more dangerous with Pedro than Neymar.

@Wolfie: lmao, that gif is hillarious :), Agree with the evaluation except Neymar was bad too, quite wasteful and slowed down lots of attack