Ronaldo vs Messi – the battle resumes

Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo led Real Madrid to La Decima last year, while Lionel Messi, Luiz Suarez and Neymar inspired Barcelona's treble triumph earlier in 2015. So which of the two will come out on top this time around - the 'BBC' or the 'MSN'?

Bale, Benzema and Cristiano hit a combined 97 goals in 2013-14, with 28 of those coming in the club's Champions League-winning campaign. A third of Ronaldo's 51 strikes (17) arrived in the continental compeititon to set a new record, while the former Tottenham midfielder added six and the France forward hit five.

The BBC actually managed more goals overall in 2014-15: Ronaldo struck 61, Bale 17 and Benzema 22 to bring up 100 strikes for the trident. However, only the Frenchman (seven) was more prolific in the Champions League as Cristiano netted 10 in Europe and Bale only two.

And they were unable to ignite their team when it mattered most as Madrid lost to Juventus in the last four, eliminated by their former youth product Alvaro Morata.

By then, there was a new three-man attack on the scene. Messi (58 goals), Suarez (25) and Neymar (39) hit a combined 122 goals for Barca as Luis Enrique's side claimed the treble.

And the Uruguayan's tally is all the more impressive considering he was banned at the beginning of the season and only made his debut in late October for the Catalan club.

In Europe, Messi hit 10, Suarez seven and Neymar 10 (27 goals that sealed a fifth Champions League crown for the Blaugrana). Those included one apiece for the Uruguayan and the Brazilian in the 3-1 final victory over Juventus with Messi surprisingly not on the scoresheet in Berlin.

Criticised for the poor form of the BBC towards the end of last season, Benzema responded by claiming that the trio offered more than just goals.

That is true, but even in terms of assists the Madrid three were worse off than their Barca counterparts in 2014-15, with 46 assists between them as the three South Americans racked up 55 for the Blaugrana.

In 2015-16, both tridents have made strong starts. There were doubts over Madrid after the Rafa Benitez era began with a 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon last month, but that was something of a freak result as Los Blancos created 27 chances at El Molinon.

Benzema was missing from that one, but he has since returned and now has two goals in two games, while Bale netted twice in the 5-0 win at home to Betis before the international break and was superb in an unselfish role as Ronaldo scored five in the 6-0 victory at Espanyol on Saturday evening.

In just three games, the trio already have nine goals between them.

Barca have played more matches due to their participation in the Uefa Super Cup and the two-legged Spanish Supercopa prior to the start of La Liga.

Messi scored two in the 5-4 win over Sevilla in Tbilisi, added another in the second leg against Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou and hit the winner as Barca beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Saturday night.

Neymar (who missed the season start due to mumps) hit his first at the Vicente Calderon with a fantastic free-kick, while Suarez has two (a winner at San Mames in La Liga and another against Sevilla in the Uefa Super Cup). In total, seven goals in a combined 14 appearances.

That represents a less impressive return than the BBC at the moment. However, Barcelona have had tough trips to Athletic and Atleti in La Liga, while their Supercopa series and Super Cup clash were also difficult fixtures.

With three rounds of La Liga completed, the two teams turn their attentions to the Champions League. Madrid host Shakhtar Donestk at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday and Barca are in action away to Roma a day later.

No side has ever won the Champions League back-to-back since the competition changed format in 1992-93, with AC Milan in the old European Cup the last team to achieve the feat in 1989 and 1990.

Madrid had hoped to break that statistic last year, but this time it is Barcelona's turn as the Catalans aim to reclaim the trophy they won in Berlin last June and Real seek La Undecima (an 11th crown) in their first season under Benitez.

The success of the MSN and the BBC is likely to make or break the chance of Spain's biggest sides and the two tridents - led by Messi and Ronaldo respectively - will fight it out at home and in Europe for the game's greates prize at club level.

The battle is about to recommence...