Ronaldo savours scoring success

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to his team-mates after breaking the La Liga goal-scoring record on Saturday.

The Portugal star was on the scoresheet twice, taking his season tally to 40, as his side romped to an 8-1 thrashing of the relegated Almeria.

Ronaldo’s tally bettered the 38 goals scored by Hugo Sanchez (1989/90) and Telmo Zarra (1950/51).

“The only reason I have scored so many goals is because of my team-mates and I am extremely appreciative. The Pichichi (Trophy) is for them and the fans,” Ronaldo, 26, said.

“I am generous with my team-mates and they are generous with me. I wouldn’t have scored 40 goals in La Liga without them.”

No player has won consecutive Pichichi Trophies since Sanchez won four in a row from 1984/85 to 1987/88.

But Ronaldo did not rule out matching his feat and said he was delighted the team finished the season with such a big win.

“We are happy to end this season in this fashion. It isn’t easy to score 102 goals, so hats off to my team-mates,” he said.

“The coach wanted to end the season with a lot of goals in order to start the next one with ambition and we did.”

“It will be hard to score this many goals again, but nothing is impossible and I will work hard to do it.”

Assistant coach Aitor Karanka hailed Ronaldo for his season.

“Cristiano Ronaldo’s numbers are astounding. He is talented, strong and ambitious. He broke the record because he is simply amazing,” he said.