Former Real Madrid captain believes expectation on Cristiano Ronaldo is “madness”

Former Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has thrown his support behind former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo following Los Blancos’ 3-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Ronaldo was whistled in the early stages of the clash at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, before silencing the Madridistas with a goal and an assist.

Casillas, now at Porto, has described the expectation on the Portuguese captain as “madness”, but concedes that is the nature of the club.

"These things happen in stages, Cristiano sells a lot, and demands a lot of himself," he told Onda Cero’s “El Transistor” show.

"Along with [Leo] Messi he is the best in the world, he has this… this responsibility."

"As a Madridista, sometimes you don’t understand why it can happen. Six months ago Madrid were European champions, one month ago they were world champions."

"He has just won the trophy as the world’s best player," he added.

"Last year I remember a difficult moment before [Rafa] Benitez left. Then at the end of the season they were in the clouds with the Champions League."

"If he scores two or three goals a game, that is just what he is supposed to do. It is madness."

The former captain believes Ronaldo needs the right support channels around him to continue improving.

"You must help him, have people around him and the club who help to protect the players. He must continue trying to be the player he is, the best in the world."