Ronaldo Is Better Than Messi (in Clasico Matches)

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When Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring after 13 minutes in Barcelona, he became the first player ever to score in seven successive Clasico contests. The goal, which gave Real Madrid the 2-1 lead on aggregate, was also his sixth in six matches at Camp Nou and 39th in 40 matches in all competitions so far this season.

His second of the night, scored in the 57th minute, pretty much finished off the tie.

Lionel Messi, by comparison, came into Tuesday’s match with just three goals in his last seven Clasico appearances, but with 49 goals in 39 matches in all competitions he has a healthy scoring lead over Ronaldo.

But Ronaldo’s reputation as a big-game player continues to grow with every big game he plays. It’s hard to believe he was once considered a player who wilted under pressure.

In addition to scoring against Manchester United in the first leg of this season’s Champions League Round of 16, he almost single-handedly guided Portugal into the quarterfinals of the 2012 European Championship. And in 2008, he scored in the Champions League final against Chelsea.

And then, of course, there is his record in El Clasico.