And now things get heated.

The year 2015 has been a showcase for Lionel Messi and no one, not even Cristiano Ronaldo, can deny that the Argentine has been the best player in the world to start the year. Even Ronaldo would not be considered second as his goal totals have been topped by Barcelona's Neymar and Luis Suarez. So if the Ballon d'Or voting started this week, Ronaldo would not even be close to the Top 3.

But three months does not a year make, and Ronaldo's recent play implies that he might be starting to warm to the task of catching his great rival. The Portuguese star got two chances this week to make an impression before he gets to take on Messi in a one-on-one battle that will likely decide the Spanish League.

Ronaldo got the first chance to make a name for himself as Real Madrid took on Schalke 04 in the Champions League. While Ronaldo's struggles have been highlighted as one of the reasons for his team's problems, they can no longer be used as an excuse after that 4-3 defeat. Madrid made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament, but only because Ronaldo put together two terrific headers to level the score twice and all but ensure that Los Blancos actually avoided losing on away goals.

It was his second two-goal game of 2015 and his fifth in the last five games.

He would get a second chance to add to his goal totals on the weekend as a struggling Levante side visited Real Madrid. And he knew that he needed some goals to catch up to his great rival (more on that later).

So what does he do? He completely dominated Levante, putting a shot off the crossbar and firing a shot that was headed into the goal. However, Gareth Bale managed to get a touch on that shot and wound up getting credit for the goal. Ronaldo, meanwhile, got credit for the assist. He finished the night with nine shots, including two on target and one off the crossbar. It was not his night, but it might bode poorly for Barcelona as this man is clearly hungry to catch his rival.

Meanwhile, Messi, who had a scored a tremendous hat trick last weekend to put himself above and beyond Ronaldo in that department historically, came close to adding yet another trio of goals against Eibar. Instead, he settled for two, finally overtaking his great rival for the scoring leading in Spain's domestic league.
One of his goals came from the penalty spot, the fifth time that has happened for Messi all season long. He also scored off an uncharacteristic header, matching Ronaldo's feat from the game against Schalke.

Season Stats

Messi holds sole possession of most overall goals this season, as well as Spain's scoring race. He has 43 goals on the year to Ronaldo's 41 and also leads his rival 32-30 for most goals in the domestic league. This is the first time Messi has led Ronaldo in this competition since the opening weeks of the La Liga, showing just how far he has come along.

Calendar Year Stats

Messi has scored 20 goals on the year in just 17 games while Ronaldo has nine strikes in 14 contests. He is currently trailing the likes of Suarez and Neymar in this category, but based on recent play that could change in a hurry when luck turns in Ronaldo's favor.

Streaking

Despite not scoring against Levante, Ronaldo has five goals in his last six and assists in three of his last seven. Not bad, but certainly nothing compared to Messi's tremendous streak of six goals in his last four and two assists in his last four.

Either way you slice it, Messi is the man in better form than his rival.

Winner

Messi scored two vital goals to lead his club, but there is no denying Ronaldo's contribution this week across two matches. While Madrid lost 4-3 to three against Schalke, he played the hero not once but twice.

And against Levante, he was a man possessed despite failing to score a single goal. He did manage an assist and his team won a big game ahead of the big Clasico next weekend.

Ronaldo wins this edition and now trials 12-11.

For last weeks installment, click here.

All stats from Messivsronaldo.net and Whoscored.com.