Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were back to work in two separate games this week - one in the Champions League and another in the Spanish league.

Both players faced rather unimportant Champions League tilts but had crucial fixtures in Spain to resolve.

Messi's Champions League bout with Bayer Leverkusen saw the superstar record yet another goal for his club, his third in this year's competition. However, Barcelona wound up drawing 1-1 in the fixture. He was rather subdued with only one shot on target and no key passes. He did have seven dribbles.

On the weekend Messi also played goalscorer for Barcelona against Deportivo La Coruna, but was helpless in getting his team a full three points. That said, Messi had a whopping 11 dribbles in that game and five key passes; he also had three shots on goal. It would be unfair to say that he did not do everything he could to will the team to victory.

Since his return from injury, Barcelona has gotten two win and three draws when he has started. He has recorded a goal or an assist in each match, but the record speaks rather loudly for the club and its top player.

Ronaldo meanwhile put up a whopping four goals and one assist in a meaningless match for Madrid against Malmo. That said, Ronaldo was terrific throughout the game and did well to finish his chances as his squad put up eight goals in an 8-0 rout.

He put up six shots on target, had three key passes and was at his most dangerous.

That same could not be said on the weekend when he and Madrid flopped in a 1-0 loss at Villarreal. Ronaldo was nigh invisible throughout the night, putting up no shots on target and just one key pass. It was one of those performance that supported two growing preconceptions about the superstar - he can't carry the team on his own and he cannot get it done in big matches.

Season Stats

Ronaldo has 21 goals in 21 games for Madrid this season; he also has six assists. He has 11 goals in six Champions League games but only 10 in 15 La Liga bouts.

Messi has 11 goals in all competitions along with five assists; five of his goals have come in Spain while only three have come in the Champions League. The rest came in the Copa del Rey and Euro Super Cup.

Calendar Year Stats

Ronaldo has 53 goals in 55 games this year; he has 16 assists in that span. Messi has 50 goals in in 59 matches in 2015 to go along with 26 assists.

Ronaldo has 50 goals for his club while Messi has 46.

Winner

Ronaldo had more goals than Messi and put up a tremendous performance against Malmo, yet he was woeful in Villarreal. Messi was mediocre against Bayer Leverkusen but was terrific against Deportivo La Coruna.

The goals make the difference here an Ronaldo now holds a 5-3 lead on his rival.