C.Ronaldo is the second Madridista with most hat-tricks in La Liga

Cristiano Ronaldo is gradually improving on numbers established by legendary Madridistas. By tallying his 13th with the team against Levante, the Portuguese striker is now the second all-time Real Madrid player with the most hat-tricks behind the 22 netted by Alfredo di Stefano, who needed five years to score 13.

"Goals happen thanks to the efforts of the entire team,"

said Ronaldo after the match on Sunday, trying to play down his feat, but truth is he played a decisive role in the victory with his three strikes. Mourinho himself described the player's third strike as "fantastic" and "incredible."

Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick with the Whites in the penultimate league match of the 2009/10 season against Mallorca (4-1). He tallied three or more strikes in six league games last season, therefore breaking the five hat-trick record of Langara and Romario. Ronaldo has already scored six this season against Rayo Vallecano, Osasuna, Levante, Zaragoza, Malaga and Sevilla. In total, the Golden Boot and Pichichi Trophy winner has 13 hat-tricks under his belt in 85 league games. Ronaldo is currently the fifth player with most hat-tricks in the history of La Liga behind Zarra, Di Stefano, Mundo and Cesar.

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal echoes throughout the world

Just like Jose Mourinho predicted, Cristiano Ronaldo's amazing third goal against Levante has travelled around the world. Collected here are some of the comments made by the international press.


Marca (Spain): "Tricks abounded, but none was as impressive as Ronaldo's third goal, a fabulous shot that raised the crowd to its feet. It was an unforgettable strike that will travel around the world. It will make all the news as a stellar moment."

AS (Spain): "The third goal was marvellous. Rather than a long shot, it was a comet... It showcased prodigious power."

El Pais (Spain): "Ronaldo's self-portrait was a third goal worthy of the Prado Museum: he is a genius. His shot from outside the box and close to the left sideline was worthy of one of the chosen ones, of an elightened player. The ball elevated itself and landed violently before the Uruguayan goalkeeper. It was as also worthy of Roberto Carlos, who received tribute in Chamartin last night."

El Mundo (Spain): "Cristiano's shot turned the ball into a tomahawk, a homing missile."

A Bola (Portugal): "Ronaldo's third goal was one of the best this season. It was a shot form outside the box that surprised Levante keeper Munua."

Denoticias.pt (Portugal): "Real Madrid turned the score around again thanks to the artistry of Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick. His first was a solid penalty on the 45-minute mark. The second a header in the 50th minute. And, finally, he scored the evening's highlight on the 57-minute mark with a true bomb."

La Gazetta dello Sport (Italy): "It fell like a rock. It was a powerful shot with the right foot close to the left corner of the box. The score changed to 3-1 and the player embraced Mourinho in celebration."

Corriere dello Sport (Italy): "Real Madrid defeated Levante thanks to the first class goal by the Portuguese striker."

Ole (Argentina): "Real Madrid became their true selves in the second half and quickly took the lead through Ronaldo. The Portuguese masterfully scored the 3-1 strike."

SkySports (UK): “Portuguese ace Ronaldo completed his hat-trick and his sixth of the season on 57 minutes with a stunning dipping shot over Levante keeper Gustavo Munua”

Daily Telegraph (UK): "Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with a marvellous 30-yard shot that hit the rook of the net."

The Guardian (UK): "Ronaldo then completed the hat-trick, his 13th since joining Real for a world-record fee in 2009, with a dipping drive seven minutes later. It was the 27th goal of the campaign for the league's top scorer."

Sports Illustrated (USA): “It was a shot from outside the area seven minutes later that took a wicked dip over goalkeeper Gustavo Munua and into goal”

ESPN (USA): "Ronaldo completed his treble with a wonderful long-range effort on 57 minutes."

ESPN (Brazil): "The third was a tremendous strike. It was the perfect shot to round up Real's 4,000th goal at the Bernabeu. It was great, an unstoppable whop from outside the box. Cristiano celebrated with an unusual hug with Jose Mourinho."

Mourinho interview before El Clasico

Jose Mourinho addressed the media the day prior to facing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.

"The best possible result against Barcelona is to win the tie. The team that's eliminated from the Copa del Rey will play two less games in February and we actually want to play those two fixtures.

"Cristiano Ronaldo did a great job against Mallorca. He scored many goals one and a half years ago, as well as many hat-tricks. We also won a title with a goal of his. 

But I've felt most happy and proud of him with the job he did in the second half against Mallorca. He worked like an animal and did what the team needed. He was exhausted from working so hard and making so many steals. The team is most important and I told him he didn't need to score if he worked like that."

"Di Maria will be on the squad list. He's not as fit as we had hoped. We don't have the best feeling about things, but we'll have to wait. He's made the cut, but I'm not going to announce my lineup because I don't know whom I'll use yet, although I wouldn't hint at things either if I knew. The league is our priority and I'm not going to say different from that."


"It's possible, and necessary, that Carvalho reappears in January. Ramos and Lass have four bookings each and many players, such as Pepe, Arbeloa and Fabio, have three. They are all necessary. Carvalho will be ready to respond when needed."

"Barcelona are a great team and a formidable adversary regardless how many defenders they use against us. My relationship with Barcelona is as it's always been. I don't have a problem with them; I never have."