Real Madrid must avoid Portugal-like Ronaldo reliance to succeed

With club scoring records seemingly being toppled every time Cristiano Ronaldo graces the pitch with Real Madrid, it’s obvious the spotlight will shine upon this Portuguese superstar when he endures even the slightest of goal-droughts.

In a true puzzling contradiction of form at the Bernabeu, despite the 30-year-old topping the charts in both the Champions League and La Liga so far this season, Ronaldo has actually only struck in two of his seven outings.

It’s far from stuttering form, just a further indication of his incredibly high standards set by himself, and possibly constant rival Lionel Messi, but it’s Real’s Ronaldo reliance that could actually be a hindrance, with the club 5/1 with Coral for an 11th European crown.

Eight goals in seven club outings is a record any attacker in Europe would be proud of, but Ronaldo’s season tally was bagged over two clashes, with a five-goal haul against Espanyol and a treble over Shakhtar Donestk only days later earlier this month.

Although, the Portugal skipper has now failed to score in three consecutive domestic league encounters, and struck in just one in six overall, despite having an onslaught of shots during a recent 0-0 with Malaga.

Such a seemingly desperate attempt to rediscover his clinical edge could be an effect of having yet another record in his sights, with Ronaldo now just one strike away from his 500th career goal and, more notably, only three adrift of Raul Gonzalez’s Real figure of 323.

With Wales ace Gareth Bale and Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez both having endured injuries of late, Ronaldo has taken up a familiar role of leading the line and being the club’s sole attacking focus.