Ronaldo 50-46 Messi: Football’s biggest rivalry has the smallest of margins

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The rivalry between Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has dominated the back-page headlines — not just in Spain, but across the world — thanks to their phenomenal goal scoring feats.

Since their season started in August, Portugal captain Ronaldo — who won his third World Player of the Year award in January — is on top with 50 goals in all competitions.

Argentina skipper Messi is not far behind, with the four-time Ballon d’Or winner scoring a total of 46 goals in the same period for his club.

Ronaldo’s tally means he has already equaled the number of goals he scored last season.

Goals from the UEFA Super Cup (USC), Copa Del Rey (CDR), the European Champions League (CL) and La Liga (LIGA) are listed below in chronological order — and with more matches left to play, it’s still anyone’s game.

• Both players are in action in this week’s Champions League quarterfinals as Barca takes on Paris Saint-German on Tuesday, while Real faces city rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

August 2014: Ronaldo 3, Messi 2

Ronaldo (2) vs. Sevilla FC, Aug 12 (USC)

Messi (2) vs. Elche, Aug 24 (LIGA)

Ronaldo vs. Cordoba, Aug 25 (LIGA)

September 2014: Ronaldo 13, Messi 6

Ronaldo vs. Atletico Madrid, Sept 13 (LIGA)

Ronaldo vs. FC Basel, Sept 16 (CL)

Ronaldo (3) vs. Deportivo La Coruna, Sept 20 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Levante, Sept 21 (LIGA)

Ronaldo (4) vs. Elche, Sept 23 (LIGA)

Ronaldo vs. Villarreal, Sept 27 (LIGA)

Messi (2) vs. Granada, Sept 27 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Granada, Sept 27 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Paris St. Germain, Sept 30 (CL)

October 2014: Ronaldo 21, Messi 9

Ronaldo vs. Ludogorets Razgrad, Oct 1 (CL)

Messi vs. Rayo Vallecano, Oct 4 (LIGA)

Ronaldo (3) vs. Athletic Bilbao, Oct 5 (LIGA)

Ronaldo (2) vs. Levante, Oct 18 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Eibar, Oct 18 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Ajax, Oct 21 (CL)

Ronaldo vs. Liverpool, Oct 22 (CL)

Ronaldo vs. Barcelona, Oct 25 (LIGA)

November 2014: Ronaldo 26, Messi 17

Ronaldo vs. Granada, Nov 1 (LIGA)

Messi (2) vs. Ajax, Nov 5 (CL)

Ronaldo vs. Rayo Vallecano, Nov 8 (LIGA)

Messi (3) vs. Sevilla, Nov 22 (LIGA)

Ronaldo (2) vs. Eibar, Nov 22 (LIGA)

Messi (3) vs. Apoel FC, Nov 25 (CL)

Ronaldo vs. FC Basel, Nov 26 (CL)

December 2014: Ronaldo 32, Messi 23

Ronaldo (3) vs. Celta Vigo, Dec 6 (LIGA)

Messi (3) vs. Espanyol, Dec 7 (LIGA)

Ronaldo vs. Ludogorets Razgrad, Dec 9 (CL)

Messi vs. Paris St. Germain, Dec 10 (CL)

Ronaldo (2) vs. Almeria, Dec 12 (LIGA)

Messi (2) vs. Cordoba, Dec 20 (LIGA)

January 2015: Ronaldo 36, Messi 31

Ronaldo vs. Valencia, Jan 4 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Elche, Jan 8 (CDR)

Messi vs. Atletico Madrid, Jan 11 (LIGA)

Ronaldo vs. Atletico Madrid, Jan 15 (CDR)

Ronaldo (2) vs. Getafe, Jan 18 (LIGA)

Messi (3) vs. Deportivo La Coruna, Jan 18 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Atletico Madrid, Jan 21 (CDR)

Messi (2) vs. Elche, Jan 24 (LIGA)

February 2015: Ronaldo 38, Messi 38

Messi vs. Villarreal, Feb 1 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Athletic Bilbao, Feb 8 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Villarreal, Feb 11 (CDR)

Messi (3) vs. Levante, Feb 15 (LIGA)

Ronaldo vs. Schalke, Feb 18 (CL)

Ronaldo vs. Elche, Feb 22 (LIGA)

Messi vs. Granada, Feb 28 (LIGA)

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