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Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, El ClasicoGetty Images

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo - Who has better stats in El Clasicos?

The El Clasico, one of the most iconic matches in football, will no longer feature two of the greatest players of the modern era, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from the upcoming 2021/22 season.

With Messi leaving Barcelona and joining Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, a golden era of El Clasico comes to an end. Cristiano Ronaldo had left Real Madrid for Juventus at the end of the 2018-18 season.

Both the Argentine and Portuguese superstars have registered several records in this iconic and are undoubtedly two of the finest players to have ever played in the tie.

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While Messi has the most number of goals in the history of this rivalry, he has also played the most number of El Clasico matches along with Sergio Ramos. Ronaldo, meanwhile holds the record of scoring in most consecutive El Clasicos.

Here, we take a look at the statistical comparison of Messi and Ronaldo in El Clasicos.

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo - Who has better stats in El Clasico?

PlayerMatchesGoalsAssistsPenalty goalsFree-kick goalsHat-tricks
Lionel Messi452614622
Cristiano Ronaldo30181400
Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Real Madrid BarcelonaGetty Images

What is Messi's record in El Clasicos after Ronaldo's Real Madrid exit?

Interestingly, Lionel Messi has not scored or assisted in an El Clasico match after Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018. It has been three years since Messi has scored or assisted in an El Clasico. He has played seven El Clasicos since Ronaldo's exit. 

The last time Messi scored in an El Clasico was on 6 May, 2018. Interestingly, Ronaldo also scored in the game which finished 2-2.

Who are the top goalscorers in El Clasico's history?

Lionel Messi left Barcelona as the all-time top goalscorer in El Clasico's history with 26 goals in 45 matches. He is followed by Real Madrid stars Alfredo Di Stefano and Cristiano Ronaldo who have 18 goals to their names.

PositionPlayerClubGoals
1Lionel MessiBarcelona26
2Alfredo Di StefanoReal Madrid18
3Cristiano RonaldoReal Madrid18
4Raul GonzalezReal Madrid15
5CesarBarcelona14
6Francisco GentoReal Madrid14
7Ferenc PuskasReal Madrid14
8SantillanaReal Madrid12
9Luis SuarezBarcelona11
10Hugo SanchezReal Madrid10

Which players have the most number of appearances in El Clasico?

Along with Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi left La Liga as the most-capped player in El Clasico's history with 45 games each under their belt. 

PositionPlayerClubMatches
1Lionel MessiBarcelona45
1Sergio RamosReal Madrid45
3Francisco GentoReal Madrid42
3Manuel SanchezReal Madrid42
3Xavi HernandezBarcelona42
6Sergio BusquetsBarcelona40
7Andres IniestaBarcelona38
8Fernando HierroReal Madrid37
9Raul GonzalezReal Madrid37
10Iker CasillasReal Madrid37
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid GFXGetty/Goal

Who has scored the most number of consecutive goals in El Clasico?

Cristiano Ronaldo has the record scoring in six consecutive El Clasicos. His scoring run started in the quarterfinal first leg of the Copa del Rey during the 2011/12 season and ended in La Liga first-round tie during the 2012/13 season. In these six games, the Portuguese superstar scored seven goals.

PositionPlayerClubMatchesGoals
1Cristiano RonaldoReal Madrid67
2Ivan ZamoranoReal Madrid55
3Santiago BernabeuReal Madrid48
4Simon LecueReal Madrid45
5RonaldinhoBarcelona45
6GiovanniBarcelona44
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