Don't mention the dive - Ronaldo records soured by his antics

COMMENT: The Portuguese is scoring freely at the moment, but his hat-trick against Celta proved polemic following a highly contentious penalty in the all-important first goal


 By Ben Hayward at the Santiago Bernabeu

It was an another eventful evening for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese hit his 23rd Liga hat-trick for Real Madrid to set a new record, made it 23 goals in 13 Primera Division games this term and left the pitch early with a knock to a standing ovation from the home fans. But not everyone was happy with the 29-year-old.

With Isco suspended and Luka Modric out injured, Madrid had struggled to break down a Celta Vigo side that arrived unbeaten away from home in La Liga. That run had included a 2-2 draw at Atletico and a 1-0 win at Camp Nou. And until Ronaldo threw himself to the turf following minimal contact with Celta defender Jonny towards the end of the first half, there was very little in this.

Madrid fans had been furious with referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco on his last visit to the Santiago Bernabeu, when he gave Barcelona two penalties and sent off Sergio Ramos as the Catalans claimed a 4-3 win last March.

But this time he was on their side as he pointed to the spot following Cristiano's theatrical tumble and Ronaldo slotted home to give Real a lead they had threatened but barely deserved before the interval.

Madrid gradually imposed themselves in the second half and after a couple of close calls, Ronaldo volleyed home a loose ball with a fine finish that took him to 199 goals in La Liga. And 199 became 200 later on as he added a third from close range at the far post following a cross from Marcelo to take his tally for the season to 29 in just 21 games.

Easily his most prolific campaign so far, the Portuguese is threatening to smash Lionel Messi's mark of 50 goals in a single season in La Liga and the Argentine's remarkable record of 73 overall in 2011-12 is also under threat.

"Ronaldo is playing at his best at the moment," coach Carlo Ancelotti said afterwards. "Physically, he is at his peak and he is extraordinarily motivated right now."

And Sergio Ramos added: "The figures he is reaching are crazy. It's a privilege for Real Madrid to have a player like him. We have to invent new words to describe him. He is breaking all the records and he is in perhaps the best moment of his career."

The Portuguese ended the evening injured as he suffered what looked like a knock, but soaked up the applause as he hobbled off following yet another memorable night at the Bernabeu.

And Madrid fans will hope it is nothing serious as the club are back in action on Tuesday evening against Ludogorets in the Champions League, when the club can make it 19 successive wins and surpass the Spanish record set by Barcelona under Frank Rijkaard in 2005-06.

Madrid have already qualified in first place for the second round and Ronaldo now has a knock, so he does not need to play on Tuesday. But as he chases Messi's 74 Champions League goals and seeks to improve his own personal marks in 2014-15, you can bet he will want to start.

In the meantime, he was the toast of the madridistas on Saturday as he made it to 200 goals in La Liga and set a new record for hat-tricks in the Primera Division. Just don't mention the dive.