Cristiano Ronaldo’s record against Barcelona explored following eye-catching Europa League play-off draw

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Barring securing a move in the January transfer window, Cristiano Ronaldo will renew his rivalry with Barcelona in February.

This afternoon’s Europa League play-off draw was headlined by Manchester United being drawn to face the Catalan giants.

Erik ten Hag’s side will travel to the Nou Camp on 16 February before hosting Xavi’s side at Old Trafford the week later.

It’s a blockbuster tie worthy of headlining the Champions League draw let alone the Europa League, but that’s unfortunately where the two fallen giants are currently at.

But after spending nine years in the Spanish capital with Real Madrid, Ronaldo will pit his wits against Los Blancos’ great rivals once again.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record against Barcelona

The 37-year-old has faced Barcelona 34 times during his career, he’s only faced Atletico Madrid (37) more.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 20 goals from those 34 games against the Catalans. He’s only scored more goals against Getafe (23), Atletico Madrid (25) and Sevilla (27).

But United’s number seven has never scored for Barca when representing the Red Devils.

In the 2007-08 Champions League semi-finals, Ronaldo missed a penalty during the first leg at the Nou Camp, but a Paul Scholes screamer at Old Trafford sent United through to the final against Chelsea in Moscow where we triumphed on penalties.

Ronaldo’s last game in his first spell for the twenty-time league champions came in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome when we were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona.

But the great Portuguese has scored on his last three trips to the Nou Camp, the most recent of which came in the 2020-21 Champions League group stages when he was at Juventus, and he scored two penalties during a 3-0 win.

Blaugrana have inflicted the most defeats (15) on Ronaldo during his career and despite him not being a guaranteed starter as he enters the twilight stages of his career, Xavi is under no illusion of the threat he still poses to his side.

When giving his reaction to the Europa League draw, Xavi, who played against Ronaldo in several El Clasicos and against United, said: “He’s a fantastic player — one of the best in recent times and of course he can still make a difference.”

The clashes against Barcelona in February will be the first time Ronaldo has faced Barcelona without his old rival Lionel Messi spearheading Barca’s attack.