The Real Madrid versus Barcelona match is almost upon us, airing Saturday at 4 p.m. ET, and one of the characteristics that has stood out in recent meetings is that the intensity, force, and motives behind some of the tackles have been called into question.
The answer to the question regarding which of the pillars of the Madrid and Barcelona attacks is most targeted by the rival defenses can be found reviewing the fouls received by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent seasons.
Argentinean star Messi received 52 fouls in the 2011-2012 season, 29 of them in the league, which makes him the most targeted Barcelona player. But the most-fouled Barcelona player in the Spain’s La Liga this season is actually Sergio Busquets with 32.
Messi receives an average of 89 fouls a season, taking the last two seasons into account. What is surprising is that Busquets, someone criticized for his propensity to go to the ground, has received the most fouls in the Barcelona team the last two seasons with 106. Its easy to make conclusions with those numbers.
For his part, Ronaldo surpasses both the Argentinean and Spanish players, receiving an average 110 fouls during each season. He is the most fouled player on the Real Madrid squad this year with 43. In the 2010-11 season, he was fouled 112 times and 108 in 2009-10.
It may be that his vertical play, and his one-on-one approaches make him easier to foul compared to Messi. He runs with the ball close to his feet and makes short, precise movements, making it easier for him to avoid his opponent’s challenges.
It is interesting that Busquets, who is not an explosive playmaker, but a recovery man, suffers more fouls than Messi and almost the same as Ronaldo. Is it just his stellar diving skills?
Ronaldo receives an average of 110 fouls per season.
Busquets receives an average of 106 fouls per season.
Messi receives an average of 89 fouls per season.
Fouls received by season:
2011-12
Messi: 52 fouls received — 29 in La Liga
Ronaldo: 43 fouls received — 34 in La Liga
Busquets 35 fouls received — 32 in La Liga
2010-11
Messi: 94 fouls received — 57 in La Liga
Ronaldo: 112 fouls received — 88 in La Liga
Busquets 98 fouls received — 72 in La Liga
2009-10
Messi: 120 fouls received — 84 in La Liga
Cristiano: 108 fouls received — 94 in La Liga
Busquets: 114 fouls received — all in La Liga
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