Rested Ronaldo remains red-hot

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes Cristiano Ronaldo's three-week break at the start of the season to ease knee and hamstring injuries is the reason for the Portuguese's sensational form.

Ronaldo scored four goals in a 5-1 thrashing of Elche on Wednesday to register his 25th hat-trick for the club and his second in four days after also scoring three in Real's 8-2 humiliation of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday.

The Portuguese captain now has 12 goals in just eight appearances this season.