Real Madrid star steps up in the face of criticism

With Los Blancos closing in on another Champions League title and Cristiano Ronaldo nearing 100 goals in the competition, early season struggles for both seem like a distant memory.

Despite fears they would be eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, Real Madrid seemingly eased their way past Wolfsburg thanks in large part to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese star netted three times on Tuesday night, cancelling out the German side’s 2-0 victory in the first leg, to keep Los Blancos’ dream of an 11th European crown intact.

Madrid fans reserved much applause for Ronaldo, a far cry from jeers earlier in the campaign and suggestions from the striker himself that success would only be achieved if his teammates played at his level.

Now with 46 goals in 42 matches, Real and Ronaldo are only three wins away from claiming another European crown, though the striker hasn’t forgotten how far the side have come this year.

"I’ve been here for seven years and I know you [journalists] and fans," he recently stated. "I feel like a youngster despite being 31 and I have enough experience not to let outside influences affect me."

"I was criticised earlier this year and maybe I wasn’t playing at the level people had come to expect. However people should know that I have my own problems."

"I’m not trying to justify myself but I feel better and the numbers prove that."

They certainly do as Real sit just four points back of Barcelona for top spot in La Liga with six matches remaining, with Ronaldo having played in every minute of the league campaign thus far.

However the lure of another Champions League crown, especially now that rivals Barca are out, will certainly spur the Portuguese star forward to try and win his third title.

Given that he also sits just six goals back of hitting the century mark in the competition, reaching that number would certainly silence any doubters who believe the end is near for the 31-year-old.