Not content with setting a record of 17 goals for one edition of the Champions League last season, Cristiano Ronaldo is already well on the way towards breaking Lionel Messi's La Liga best haul of 50 goals in one campaign.
Ronaldo netted his third hat-trick this term in Sunday's 5-0 drubbing of Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu, taking his overall tally to an outrageous 13 in six appearances in 2014-15.
It was Ronaldo's 22nd treble for the European champions, equalling the La Liga record jointly held by Alfredo Di Stefano and Telmo Zarra, and putting him three clear of Barcelona forward Messi's hat-trick haul.
On a night when he again appeared unstoppable, Ronaldo set up Karim Benzema to score and Gareth Bale made two assists as Real's formidable attacking trio known as "BBC" destroyed the struggling Basque side.
"The three up front played fantastically," coach Carlo Ancelotti purred.
Ronaldo broke Messi's four-year hold on the Fifa Ballon d'Or when he was voted 2013 World Player of the Year. Ancelotti said he had little doubt he would claim his second straight award and third overall when this year's winner is announced in January.
"This year, I don't think there is much doubt," Ancelotti said.
Messi is the only player who can come close to challenging Ronaldo. The Argentina captain's performance at the World Cup, when he led the South American nation to the final, may give him an edge.
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