1. 2016-17
This year has seen dominance being split right down the middle. While Messi has utterly decimated opponents on the domestic scene, Cristiano Ronaldo has overcome a sluggish start to the season to take his game to an altogether different plane as the Champions League knock-out stages started. His goals have helped Zinedine Zidane’s side to a second successive Champions League final while also taking the Madridistas to the brink of their first La Liga title in half-a-decade!
While both players will surely boost their numbers on the last day of the season, Ronaldo has one extra game in the Champions League (against opponents who kept Leo Messi to ZERO goals over two games in their quarterfinal) to ensure that even if he does lose the personal goal vs goal battle, he comes up trumps where it matters – ensuring that his team succeeds on all fronts.
Pichichi Award winner – Currently being led by Lionel Messi (35 goals)
Champions League Golden Boot – Currently being led by Lionel Messi (11 goals)
FIFA BEST/Ballon d’Or winner (2017)– N.A.
GOAL TALLY
Lionel Messi: 50 in 51
Cristiano Ronaldo: 39 in 44