Ronaldo Close To Setting New Madrid Goal Record

It was not one of his more brilliant nights but Cristiano Ronaldo managed to shake off the Malmo defence to score twice and edge closer to becoming Real Madrid's greatest goal-poacher on Wednesday.

Having netted his 81st and 82nd Champions League goals against the Swedish side, Ronaldo is now tied with Raul as the club's top scorer of all time with 323 goals.

"I am so happy and proud to beat the record for Real Madrid, it's fantastic," Ronaldo told broadcaster Viasat.

Record!!! Cristiano Ronaldo Now Real Madrid's Highest Goal Scorer In La Liga

Cristiano Ronaldo opened his account for the season in spectacular fashion with five goals as Real Madrid thrashed Espanyol 6-0 on Saturday.

The Portuguese dispelled any doubts over his form by slotting home the opener from Luka Modric's wonderful pass before doubling his tally from the penalty spot after Gareth Bale had been felled inside the area.

Bale crossed for Ronaldo to complete his 32nd hat-trick for Madrid and the World Player of the Year then turned provider himself for Karim Benzema to tap home a fourth before halftime.

Real Madrid: 9 Challenges In 9 Months For Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo's seventh season with 'Los Blancos' looks set to be a real record-breaker. The Portuguese has many challenges ahead in order for him to become even more of a legend at Real Madrid. One important title, that of the maximum goalscorer in all the club's history, is more than probably just a few games away. Only nine goals are needed to get there. He may do it in three, four or five games. Who knows? If we look to his goalscoring average, it would be in nine games before he declares himself the most effective forward in all the 113 years of the Madrilenian club's history.

CR7 has racked up 314 goals from the 300 games he has played for his present club across all competitions. Raúl scored 323 times from the 741 matches that he played in. The Portuguese already holds the record as the player with the highest strike rate, but he wants it all, and doesn't want to waste any time getting it.

Can Ronaldo Break Raul's Record At The Calderon?

Cristiano Ronaldo has a habit of coming flying out of the traps at the beginning of the season and this time round he has extra motivation to do so. The Portuguese forward finished last term on 314 competitive goals for Real Madrid, having racked up 61 over the course of the campaign, meaning he shot past Alfredo Di Stéfano into second in the club's all-time scoring charts.

Now Ronaldo has his sights firmly on the leader of this illustrious list, Raúl González. The Spain and Real Madrid legend's haul of 323 goals is now within striking distance for CR7, who is just nine goals from equalling Raúl and ten from surpassing him and adding yet another golden entry to his place in the 'Los Blancos' history books.

RAUL: Di Maria's Absence Will Put More Pressure On Messi Ahead Of Netherlands Encounter

Angel di Maria's unavailability for Argentina's World Cup semi-final against Netherlands piles more pressure on Lionel Messi, according to Raul.

The Albiceleste booked their spot in the World Cup last four with a 1-0 victory over Belgium at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia on Saturday but their win was marred by the loss of Di Maria to a thigh strain.

The Real Madrid winger will now miss Wednesday's meeting with Netherlands in Sao Paulo and Raul believes his absence will make Argentina even more reliant on Messi, who carried his country through the group stages.

RAUL: European Nations Have Had A Bad World Cup In Brazil

Former Spain striker Raul  has commented on the underwhelming record of the European teams at the ongoing World Cup, according to his assessment.

Of the 13 European representatives to have qualified for the tournament in Brazil, seven have already been eliminated. Former World Cup winners England and Italy, as well as reigning-champions Spain fell at the first hurdle.

By contrast, eight of the ten teams from South, Central and North America to have qualified for the tournament made it through to the last 16. Of the South American qualifiers, only Ecuador failed to advance from the group stage, while half of the group winners, including CONCACAF’s Costa Rica, were non-UEFA sides.

RAUL: Spanish Team Have Passed Their Prime

Real Madrid legend Raul believes Spain are past their prime and need to look to the next generation to replace stalwarts such as captain Iker Casillas.

The reigning champions were eliminated in the group stage of this year’s World Cup – the first team to go out and only the fifth defending champions to fall at this hurdle – after suffering shock defeats to Netherlands and Chile.

La Roja midfielder Xabi Alonso admitted after the losses that the team lacked the desire and hunger to retain their title in Brazil, comments which the Madrid man was singled out for.

RAUL: This is The Best Real Madrid Team In Recent Years

Raul believes that Carlo Ancelotti has put together the best Real Madrid side in recent years. The Blancos legend will be an interested spectator when the Liga leaders travel to Germany on Wednesday to take on another of his former sides, Schalke.

The 36-year-old striker, who spent 16 years at the Santiago Bernabeu and two in Gelsenkirchen, believes the Champions League last-16, first-leg clash will be a tough game for both sides, though he feels that Madrid are as strong as they have been for some time.

"I love both teams,I spent my best moments as a footballer with them and I really wish them good luck