It’s that time of year again – time for the most highly anticipated fixture of the footballing season. El Clásico! This one has a special significance as it is expected to bring with it the return of Lionel Messi, who has spent 8 weeks on the sidelines through injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s start to the season hasn’t quite lived up to his normal, insane standards. He’s notched 8 goals in 11 appearances (which is still excellent by normal standards) whereas at this point last season he was already nearing the 20 goal mark.

Let’s look at how Messi and Ronaldo have fared previously in El Clásico…

You can see that Messi’s Barcelona have had the upper hand over the last few years as they’ve racked up significantly more wins. Messi and Ronaldo’s goal scoring ratios in the fixture are very similar, with Messi’s at 0.70 and Ronaldo’s at 0.65, and both with 4 penalties each.

It is the assists count which presents the starkest contrast between the two players in El Clásicos. Messi has racked up an impressive 13 in the 30 he’s played, whereas Ronaldo has just 1 in his 23 Clásico appearances.

Hopefully Messi will get some significant game time tomorrow – he could even start, but with Neymar and Suarez in blistering form recently, that may not be risked. Whatever happens, hopefully it’s another fantastic match and both Messi and Ronaldo get on the scoresheet.