After ending his worst goal drought in a Real Madrid shirt, Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed a fine 2018. The Portuguese has scored 23 times in just 14 game since the turn of the year. We take a look at the reasons for his dramatic uptake in form.
He missed the first five games of the season
Whilst his red card in the Spanish Super Cup looked like a disaster at the time, in reality it handed the 33-year-old an extended pre-season, something which given his advancing years could be seen as invaluable. Though it may also have contributed to his early-season profligacy in front of goal, it also allowed the Portuguese to be in peak physical condition come the business end of the campaign.
The Champions League
Very much Cristiano Ronaldo's turf. No player has scored more Champions League goals than Ronaldo and it was in Europe that he sought refuge when everything seemed to be going against him in La Liga. Twelve goals in eight games against APOEL, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham and PSG showed that he was by no means a spent force and gave him the confidence to return to domestic form with a bang, reaching 22 goals and closing the gap significanlty on rival Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
The Ballon d'Or
Even top players need a boost now and again and what better boost than being named the world's best. After picking up his fifth Ballon d'Or, Ronaldo responded by bagging a brace against Sevilla and a hat-trick against Real Sociedad as normal business was resumed.
His pact with Zinedine Zidane
Never one to rest, it speaks volumes that Zinedine Zidane has convinced his star man to sit out games on occasion. This new-found ability to pick and choose his battles has allowed the Portuguese to beat at his best for longer spells, rather than the peaks and troughs that come with playing several times per week. The move is clearly paying off, with Ronaldo's clinicality against PSG a sur- fire sign that he is in fine form at a key stage in the season.