El Clasico by the numbers: Messi vs. Ronaldo

It seems like forever since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo went head-to-head, but the day has finally arrived as these two football legends get set to clash once again during the El Clasico.

The match is another critical chapter in the illustrious history of the Spanish clubs, with the winner of Sunday's encounter taking over top spot in the La Liga standings.

While both teams possess an incredible cast of elite players, Messi and Ronaldo will be the focal points as the the pair add to their storied rivalry during their 28th competitive meeting (including international matches) against each other.

Here's a look at how both players have fared in the past:

Lionel Messi

Number of El Clasico matches: 29

First El Clasico goal: March 10, 2007

El Clasico goals: 21

First El Clasico: Nov. 19, 2005 - Lionel Messi made his first appearance in the historic encounter when manager Frank Rijkard named him to Barcelona's starting squad. Although he failed to find the back of the net, Messi contributed an assist during Barcelona's 3-0 win.

Best performance: March 10, 2007 - Messi has a pair of hat tricks during the famous encounter, but his first will live long in the memory of Barcelona supporters. With his side trailing 3-2 at home, and on the verge of losing their second straight El Clasico, Messi stole the victory away from Madrid after slicing through two defenders and piercing the back of the net while his opponents lay on the ground with their heads in their hands.

(Courtesy: MrBarcelonarif)

Cristiano Ronaldo

Number of El Clasico matches: 12

First El Clasico goal: April 16, 2011

(Courtesy: WogiiKiing96)

El Clasico goals: 14

First El Clasico: Nov. 29, 2009 - Like his counterpart, Ronaldo was held scoreless. The Portuguese international lasted just over an hour in his El Clasico debut, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 56th minute goal gave Barca the win at the Camp Nou.

Best performance: Oct. 7, 2012 - The first La Liga encounter of the 2012 season offered neutral football fans exactly what they wanted when four goals were produced by the game's biggest stars. Ronaldo's opener was followed by Messi's equaliser in the first half. The pair did the same in the second half, only it was Ronaldo who answered Messi's goal with an equaliser that eventually saw the match end in a 2-2 draw.

(Courtesy: Tony Stark)

Last match: Oct. 25, 2014 - Real Madrid 3, Barcelona 1 - Both teams were in drastically different positions during the season's first El Clasico. Real Madrid were riding high with an insane scoring rate, while Barca's superstars looked as though they were struggling to form a cohesive unit with Luis Suarez's introduction into the squad. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a first-half penalty to help Los Blancos record a 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.