Nine goals in five matches. Those are Messi's impressive figures. The same as Zidane's team who have been unrecognisable in the first games of the 2017/18 campaign.
The Argentine, by way of contrast, has got off to a flying start. His four goals against Eibar, added to his brace against Alaves and a hat-trick at the expense of Espanyol, meant he did not have to find the back of the net against Betis or Getafe to equal the goalscoring record of the entire Real Madrid squad.
The 'Blancos' scored just once against Levante and twice against Valencia, not managing to win either game. They claimed all three points in their visits to Real Sociedad and Deportivo, scoring three goals in each fixture.
Ronaldo's spell on the sidelines seems to have taken its toll. The Portuguese star returned from suspension against Real Betis but not with the goals Real needed so much.
Meanwhile, Messi looks down on Madrid and the rest of his rivals after bringing down Zidane's team who were beginning to look invincible.