Lionel Messi's El Clasico Record Since Cristiano Ronaldo Left Real Madrid Is Shocking

Lionel Messi has not scored or assisted in El Clasico since Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018.

Messi played Barcelona's 2-0 defeat to their bitter rivals last night and was rather anonymous throughout.

The Argentine forward has now failed to score or assist in 11 of the last 15 clashes in all competitions.

Five of those games have interestingly come since Ronaldo's move to Juventus 18 months ago.

Messi's last goal contribution against 'Los Blancos' came in May 2018 in a 2-2 draw which also saw 'CR7' get on the scoresheet.

He had his chances to score yesterday but saw himself denied by a Thibaut Courtois save as well as a last-ditch tackle from Marcelo.

The 32-year-old's evening went from bad to worse when he received a booking in the second half for a rash challenge.

Ronaldo was in attendance at the Santiago Bernabeu last night to watch his former side run out victors.

Second half goals from Vinicius Junior and Mariano Diaz gave Madrid their first El Clasico win on home soil in nearly 2000 days.

Victory for Zinedine Zidane's side means Madrid now sit one point ahead of Barcelona in the La Liga table.

Barcelona manager Quique Setien lamented his side's performance and claimed they 'struggled' to beat Madrid's press.

"We played well in the first half, but not in the second," the 61-year-old told a post match interview with Marca.

"Real Madrid has pressed up high up the pitch, and we have struggled to find a way through that."

"We wanted to move the ball quickly, but they did not allow us to."

"The result is disappointing, but it is not the end of the title challenge, there is a long way to go."

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