Lionel Messi's big star to 2015 came to a halt last week when he went scoreless.

In the meantime, his rival Cristiano Ronaldo broke out of a major slump with two strong performances for Los Blancos.

This week, it was Lionel Messi's turn to get two games in the week while Ronaldo would have to wait until Sunday to make his mark. Which player would shine brighter?

Messi's first chance was a big one against Manchester City. Barcelona played one of its finest first halves of the year and completely obliterated the English club through the first 25 minutes of the match. Messi did not score a goal or an assist in the 2-1 victory, but he did play an integral part in the build-up to the second goal. He dribbled through the heart of Manchester's defense before picking out a terrific pass to Jordi Alba on the left wing. The defender threw in a low cross that Luis Suarez managed to tip past Joe Hart to give Barcelona a 2-1 lead.

Messi completed over 90 percent of his passes and had a whopping 107 touches in the match, emphasizing how crucial he was to the game.

And yet, for all his brilliance, he stumbled in the biggest moment of the game. With Barcelona holding a 2-1 lead and the game essentially over, Messi got a chance at penalty kick to extend the lead to 3-1 and all but end the competition.

But the superstar's shot was not only stopped, but he headed the rebound wide despite having a gaping goal facing him.

Messi had a better time a few days later in Barcelona's 3-1 win over Granada. The team was woeful throughout the game, but Messi managed a goal, three shots on target, 70 touches and completed under 80 percent of his passes. Far from his best outing, but still a decent one by most standards.

So how did Ronaldo respond? He scored a penalty goal against Villarreal and threatened for more. At one point late in the match he put a glorious header in on goal that was miraculously stopped by Spanish keeper Sergio Asenjo. But alas he could not get his team to win the game.

Season & Calendar Year Stats

The game of catch up on two different levels continues.

Messi's goal against Granada tied him with Ronaldo for most goals in all competitions this season at 38 apiece. But Ronaldo's goal against Villarreal, albeit via penalty, put him back in the lead at 39-38. Moreover, Ronaldo scored his 30th goal of the season, marking the fourth straight season that he puts up 30 goals for Los Blancos.

Messi has 27 goals on the year in the Spanish League, but he leads Ronaldo in the assists category, 13-10.

Overall, Messi has 18 assists in all competitions while Ronaldo has 15.

On the year, Messi has a strong lead on Ronaldo with 15 goals and nine assists in 14 games while his rival has just seven goals and three assists in 11 matches.

Streaking

Ronaldo is on pace to score 47 goals this season, which would be three short of Messi's historic 50-goal season in 2011-12. Nonetheless, the Portuguese superstar is rounding into form for Los Blancos and could start picking up the pace. He has already scored in two straight for Real Madrid and has an assist or goal in three straight.

Messi has cooled off a bit since starting the year with goals in 9 of 11 matches has just one goal in his last three games.

Winner

Results are everything ultimately in sports. Real Madrid managed a 1-1 draw while Messi was integral to two Barcelona victories. The Argentine retakes the lead in this competition and is now up 11-10.

Read the last installment here.

All stats from WhoScored.com.