It was another eventful week for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with the latter participating in two more matches on the week against the single one by his great rival.

Messi and Barcelona had the second leg of the Copa del Rey before a big game against Atletico Madrid on the homefield. Messi was far from his best in the first game of the week, finishing the game without another goals or assists, though still having his usual impact on the pitch.

The second game was far bigger for the Argentine, as he scored a huge goal that tied a tough match with Atletico 1-1. Messi had three shots on goal overall, with two on target. He had five dribbles through the defense though he was shockingly mediocre in the passing department, completing just 77 percent of the passes he attempted.

Ronaldo meanwhile looked like the vintage superstar that has seldom come to the forefront this season. He scored a penalty early on in the game, one which he fairly one. But it was the second goal that will undoubtedly resonate the most. Taking the ball on the right side, Ronaldo drove at goal, then cut in past two defenders, leaving them in his stead and firing home a tremendous shot from the left foot past the goalie.

As if that was not enough, the Portuguese captain added a third goal to complete his fourth hat trick of the season. And if that was not enough, it was the eighth goal Ronaldo scored against Espanyol in just two games this season. Throw in the fact that Ronaldo completed four dribbles on the night and connected on over 80 percent of his passes and you have a tremendous game from the Portuguese star.

Season Stats

Ronaldo now has 30 goals in 28 games this year; he also has 10 assists in that same span. In La Liga, Ronaldo is tied for the Pichichi lead with 19 strikes in 22 games. He is now on pace for 32 goals and 12 assists; that would be the sixth straight season that he scores 30 or more goals in La Liga. Of those 19 goals six are from the penalty spot and none have come against any of the other top six clubs in La Liga.

Messi meanwhile has 21 goals and nine assists in 26 games for Blaugrana this season. In La Liga he has 12 goals in 16 matches and is on pace for 24 goals this season, his lowest total since the 2008-09 season and just the second time since that season that he has failed to crack 30 goals.

Calendar Year Stats

Messi has eight goals and four assists in eight games; he could win the Ballon d'Or with ease again if he keeps playing at this level throughout 2016. Ronaldo has five goals and three assists to start 2016.

Winner: Ronaldo's stunning goal to make it 4-0 against Espanyol was pure gold. Throw in the hat trick and you have an ease answer here.

Ronaldo leads 9-6.

Up Next: Messi and Barcelona have another two games this week with Valencia in the Copa del Rey presenting the first challenge and Levante the second on the weekend. Messi has not scored against Valencia yet this season, though he had two tallies against Levante earlier this year.

Ronaldo and Madrid take on Granada on the road next weekend; Ronaldo failed to score in the first tie between these clubs earlier this year.

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