Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continued their torrid start to 2016 with two big games for each superstar.

Messi did not get on the pitch for the first game of the week, a Copa del Rey matchup for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao. But he did feature in the game against Malaga and had a huge impact. He scored the game winner after a tremendous volley and continued to create a plethora of big chances. He finished the night with six shots (three of them on target) and three key passes as well as three dribbles.

Ronaldo was not as fortunate, disappearing in a big moment for Real Madrid. The team was away to Real Betis and had a big chance to make up some ground on Barcelona. But instead of seizing the moment, Ronaldo continued showing that his ability to alter a game is waning. He had, by most standards, a poor game. He got four shots at goal and only one on target. He missed a few point blank chances that would have gone in the net in years past. He completed a woeful 64 percent of his passes and constantly struggled to make any connection with the rest of the team. He had zero key passes, highlighting just how poor he has been at creating for his teammate in 2015-16.

Season Stats

Messi now has 20 goals and eight assists in 24 games for Barcelona in 2015-16 across all competitions. In La Liga, he has 11 goals in 15 games and four assists as well. He is on track for 24 goals on the year and eight assists. That said, Messi has been consistent of late, scoring seven goals in his last five games; he has not failed to score a goal for more than one game since returning from his injury layoff. Since returning in November, Messi has amassed 13 goals and 13 matches.

Ronaldo meanwhile now has 27 goals and 10 assists in 27 games for Real Madrid and just 16 goals and seven helpers in 21 La Liga matches. He is on pace for 28 goals and 18 assists; if he keeps his current pace, it would be the first time since 2009-10 that Ronaldo has failed to hit at least 30 goals in La Liga in a season. Ronaldo has only scored two goals in his last four games; he does have three assists in that span.

Calendar Year Stats

Messi looks ready to reclaim the Ballon d'Or for a record sixth time and has a whopping seven goals and three assists in six appearances. Ronaldo meanwhile is struggling with two goals and three assists in four games.

Winners

This one is easy. Messi came through in the clutch to win a game for his team while Ronaldo disappeared in the limelight.

Ronaldo's lead is now at 8-6.

Up next: Messi gets another two games next week. The first is a Copa del Rey game against Athletic Bilbao while the latter is a home game against Atletico Madrid. Messi has one goal in three games with Bilbao and scored the winner against Atletico Madrid when the two sides met up earlier this season. Real Madrid gets to host Espanyol, the team against whom Ronaldo scored five goals and one assist. He will undoubtedly be looking to repeat that performance and get back on track in the goalscoring department.

All stats from Whoscored.com.

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