Ronaldo-Messi: the years go by, the match continues

The years go by, the outfits change… and the statistics continue to panic.

Match after match, Lionel Messi, 34, and Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, defy the laws of earthly attraction.

And spy on each other from a distance to find out who will set the bar higher.

After the Argentinian's double on Tuesday in the Champions League against Leipzig with PSG, the Portuguese Manchester United responded Wednesday night against Atalanta Bergamo (3-2).

While the Mancuniens were led 0-2 at home from the half hour mark, the Red Devils managed to come back in the second half before relying on a header from the inevitable Ronaldo to capsize Old Trafford.

The five-time Ballon d'Or, which is aiming for a sixth Champions League, alone carries the venerable Mancunian institution on its broad shoulders.

Faced with Villarreal (2-1), the English had to wait for the deliverance of the prodigy at the end of added time.

Against Bergamo, they were saved by the 137th goal of the former Madrilenian in 179 C1 matches (a record, obviously) and for his 300th appearance with the mythical red jersey.

Everyone wants a touch of @Cristiano 😉 pic.twitter.com/OtwG3T43F1

- 433 (@ 433) October 20, 2021

"The goal is what he does better than the others", summarizes his coach Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer, very happy to have his magic eraser to erase all the imperfections of his team ... and keep him on his bench.

He's very good in front of goal and if anyone wants to criticize him for his work or his attitude, let him watch this game and how he ran everywhere.

"

Like Messi, Ronaldo doesn't need to be transcendent to be decisive.

But he is still loyal to the post.

“We're alive!

We are Manchester United and we never give up.

This is Old Trafford, ”he wrote on social media.

The midweek UEFA jingle is the favorite song of Ronaldo who, like his great Parisian rival, has just scored three goals in three Champions League games.

Who else?

😅

🏅 @ Cristiano # MUFC |

#UCL

- Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2021

CR7 is simply the top scorer, best passer, the record holder for the number of games played and the number of achievements recorded in an edition.

The Argentinian is… the second best scorer and passer in the history of the competition.

The quadruple winner of the Champions League is running desperately behind a fifth coronation in the competition since 2015 and the victory of Barça over Juventus Turin (3-1).

To return to the height of his rival, whose ultimate big-eared cut dates back to 2018 (and a 3-1 success over Liverpool with Real Madrid).

The counters will still run ...