Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo news update revealed that both superstars starred for the respective teams in their recent Spanish La Liga matches.
Ronaldo scored another hat-trick to lead Real Madrid to an impressive 5-0 win against Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on Sunday.
Ronaldo opened up the scoring parade as he netted the first goal of the match in the second minute before Karim Benzema added another one in the 41st minute. Ronaldo wasn't done for the match as he netted two more goals in the 55th and 88th minute, respectively.
The 29-year-old tallied his third hat-trick of the season, equalizing the Spanish La Liga record of 22 hat-tricks, which is currently held by Alfredo Di Stefano and Telmo Zarra.
Ronaldo's three goals on Sunday also increased his total to 13 goals in just six league appearances this season, but he refused to dwell on it and talked about their impressive performance as a team instead.
"Maybe this was our best game of season," the Real Madrid striker said in a Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo news update on ESPN FC. "We are still improving, as the boss has said. We have things to improve, like set-pieces. The season is still just starting. We played a very good game, scoring five goals and not conceding any."
With his performance, Ronaldo outperformed his rival Lionel Messi again, but the FC Barcelona star also had something to boast this weekend.
Messi scored a goal in the 35th minute of their match against Rayo Vallecano before Neymar added another one a minute after to lead FC Barcelona to a 2-0 victory.
Messi's goal was an important one for him as it put him two goals away from equalizing the all-time scoring record of 249 goals held by Zarra since 1955.
Messi and Ronaldo are expected to have a close race for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award. But for Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, the Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo matchup is a no-contest this year because he expects their superstar to run away with the prestigious award.
"This year, I do not think there is much doubt about that matter," Ancelotti said. "I believe you can put on a bet. There is no doubt this year."
