Cristiano converted with two opportunistic efforts for Madrid in Istanbul, before completing his hat-trick with a superb solo strike which saw him beat several defenders and angle a powerful drive into the corner against an admittedly weak Galatasaray back line.
Messi, meanwhile, led a somehwat subdued Barca side to a routine win at home to Ajax on Wednesday as the Catalans went through the gears before comfortably killing off Dutch hopes of an upset in the second period. The Argentine opened the scoring with a fine free kick in what had been an evenly matched first period, slotted in a second after latching on to a Sergio Busquets ball and made it three for him personally (after Gerard Pique had headed Barca's third goal) with a low drive into the corner late in the game.
Between the two of them, Messi and Ronaldo have finished the last three seasons as top scorers in the Champions League: Leo struck 12 goals in 2010-11 and added 14 more (a new competition record) the following season, while Cristiano converted 12 times in 2012-13.
Now, with three goals apiece from just one game, the two rivals look set to dominate the scoring charts in Europe's premier club competition once again. Messi 3-3 Ronaldo: the battle of the Champions begins again in earnest.