Messi vs. Ronaldo 2014-15 - Week 1: Messi Scores Brace, Ronaldo Scores Wonder Goal [Watch]

The first match of the Spanish League came and went and both of the biggest superstars in the world got their chance to shine.

Both entered their respective games with big questions regarding their form.

Lionel Messi had a rough 2013-14 season which was impaired by a nagging leg injury. He still put up over 40 goals throughout the year, but many felt that he was far from his best. Questions about his decline being imminent pervaded while his big defenders claimed that he was saving himself for the World Cup.

But the major tournament came and went and, while Messi walked away with the top individual prize in the tournament, he was far from his best self. He scored timely goals, but the dominant star that can control games on his own was nowhere to be seen in Brazil.

Questions about his decline persisted and Messi entered the year with a lot of questions.

Meanwhile, Crisitiano Ronaldo had a tremendous 2013-14 season, but slowed down as the end of the year neared and as a chronic knee ailment started to take over his life. The finish to the year was poor and some doctors warned him about playing in the World Cup. Had he listened, he would have been better off. He was poor throughout the tournament and did not see a fourth game. At 29, this was probably Ronaldo's last big moment on the world's biggest stage.

But then the knee injury persisted. He barely played in the preseason and some figured that the decline was underway. But then he scored two tremendous goals in the UEFA Super Cup to quiet naysayers. Surely the great Ronaldo was back.

But then two poor performances in the Spanish Super Cup made everyone wonder if the injury was as serious as expected. Could he make his presence felt in the Spanish League and top his rival?

Messi got the first opportunity to impress on Sunday in Barcelona's match against Elche. And impress he did. The Argentine was everywhere on the pitch and looked like the Messi everyone had missed over the last year or so. He had 89 touches, won seven dribbles and had three shots on goal. Two of those shots found the back of the net and both were of the stunning variety. The first goal came off a pass from Sergio Busquets to Messi in the middle outside the penalty area. He cut to his left and drove two defenders out of position. Despite being surrounded by about three players, he managed to get a shot off into the far corner.

The second was a sign of intelligence and patience. He won the ball just inside the penalty area. Messi swiveled right, but upon seeing that there was nowhere to go, he moved to his left and found the opening. Again, his grounded shot found the far corner.

Messi's touch was simply fearless throughout the night as he did his best to take on defenders. His passing was crisp and precise.

Here is a look at all of his touches throughout the match.

Ronaldo was not quite on the same level in Real Madrid's game against Cordoba. For much of the game, the Portuguese captain lacked the pace many were accustomed to and was largely invisible for most of the night. He finished with 42 touches and just three shots on goal. However, as the game drew to a close he turned into a real hero for Los Blancos. He became more involved in the play and attempted to give his teammates more space to work with. Seeing his efforts fail, he opted for taking things into his own hands and scored a tremendously decisive goal. He took the ball just outside the penalty area, took a few touches and blasted a long range bullet into the near post. The ball even took a bounce on the way in. It was arguably better than anything Messi put together in his first game.

Watch it here:

But ultimately the week belonged to Messi. The Argentine sniper was consistent throughout the game and scored two goals to his rivals single masterpiece. Messi leads 1-0.

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