After each matchday in La Liga and Serie A, Sportsnet will look at how Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did, and compare their performances.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals and tallied an assist, but that still wasn’t enough to help Juventus avoid Juventus settling for a 3-3 draw versus visitors Parma on Saturday.
Fresh off a shocking midweek loss to Atalanta in the Coppa Italian semifinals, Juventus threw away a two-goal lead in the final 16 minutes, allowing Parma to salvage a point in Turin.
It was Ronaldo who opened the scoring in the 36th minute, as he managed to get a shot from in close off after slipping to the ground. He set up teammate Daniele Rugani’s goal in the 64th minute, and Juve appeared to have a win locked up. Parma scored moments later to make it a one-goal game, but Ronaldo connected on a beautiful header, out-jumping his marker deep inside the box, to restore his side’s two-goal lead in the 66th minute.
Parma wouldn’t be denied, though, and scored two late goals to cap off a fantastic effort in the second half, and was fully deserving of taking a point of the reigning Italian champions.
Ronaldo was his usual brilliant self in being intimately involved in Juve’s attack, as evidenced by his 10 shots (four on target) in a complete 90-minute performance.
LIONEL MESSI
It was Lionel Messi to the rescue on Saturday, as the Argentine bagged two goals to help Barcelona come from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Valencia at Camp Nou.
Valencia took a 2-0 lead after 32 minutes, stunning the Camp Nou into silence. But the visitors conceded a penalty a few minutes later, and Messi converted from the spot to give the hosts a lifeline just before halftime.
Messi’s tying goal in the 64th minute was spectacular, turning quickly after taking a feed from Arturo Vidal and hitting a gorgeous, curling shot from outside the box that nestled inside the post.
However, Messi received treatment on his right leg after scoring, and although he finished the game, he faded and never really threatened to score a third goal. He could miss next week’s Copa del Rey semifinal first leg against Real Madrid.
Messi’s brace means he has scored in each of his last nine games in all competitions for Barcelona (11 goals overall), and he leads the La Liga scoring race with 21 goals.
SEASON STATS
Lionel Messi in La Liga
Top line stats: 21 goals, 10 assists, 20 games played
Total minutes: 1,617
Total shots: 97
Shots on target: 52
Pass success rate: 82.3%
WhoScored.com rating: 8.57 (ranked #1 in La Liga)
Cristiano Ronaldo in Serie A
Top line stats: 17 goals, 6 assists, 22 games played
Total minutes: 1,815
Total shots: 144
Shots on target: 58
Pass success rate: 85.7%
WhoScored.com rating: 7.78 (ranked #1 in Serie A)
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MATCHDAY 22: MESSI OR RONALDO?
Both scored a pair of goals as their sides were held to disappointing draws at home. Both were influential for their teams. Both lasted the full 90 minutes. But Messi didn’t look the same after having his leg checked out, while Ronaldo was consistent and directly involved in the action right up until the end.
Advantage: Cristiano Ronaldo.
NEXT UP
Barcelona hosts Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday, and then visits Athletic Bilbao next Sunday in a marquee La Liga showdown. Juventus visits Sassuolo in Serie A action next Sunday.
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