Ronaldo is deadlier than Messi from the spot.

C. Ronaldo has fluffed just one spot-kick since joining Madrid, while Messi's failure to convert for Barca against Valencia on Wednesday was his seventh career miss

 

 The comparisons are constant, the debate ceaseless. But there is now little left to support the theory that Lionel Messi isn't the finest footballer on the planet. The astonishing Argentine is the main man in the best Barcelona side of all time, has been mentioned in the same breath as the game's greatest players and has just claimed his third successive Ballon d'Or.

 

ON THE SPOT IN SPAIN | LEO VS. CRISTIANO

27	PENALTIES TAKEN	24
20	PENALTIES SCORED	23
7	PENALTIES MISSED	1

74%

CONVERSION RATE

96%

http://i1.goal.com/files/images/stats/goal/team-logos/1/451_48x48.jpg

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LIONEL MISSES | LEO'S SEVEN SPOT-KICK SINS

Date Opposition Result Comp Explanation 31/01/08 Villarreal 1-0 Copa Saved (left) 12/11/08 Benidorm 1-0 Copa Rebound(right) 11/04/09 Recreativo 2-0 Liga Saved (left) 14/09/10 Panathinaikos 5-1 CL Saved (right) 19/01/11 Betis 1-3 Copa Over the bar 22/10/11 Sevilla 0-0 Liga Saved (right) 01/02/12 Valencia 1-1 Copa Saved (right)

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So Leo may be the finer footballer, but Cristiano is converting from the spot. And penalties bring points, while points mean prizes.