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Ronaldo: I'm feeling better all the time

Xinhua, December 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted on Friday that he has been struggling with some physical issues, but insists that he is on the road to rediscovering his best form.

Ronaldo's four goals against Malmo on Tuesday saw him set a new record of 11 goals in the group stage of the Champions League and speaking to ESPN, he said that would end a period which has seen him suffer both on and off the pitch.

"We all go through tough times. It's normal. What I want now is to keep improving with every game to help Real Madrid and put in a good season," said Ronaldo, who separated from his girlfriend, the model Irina Shayk a few months ago.

"It isn't just personal matters, it's also about physical fitness, but I'm not saying that as an excuse," said Ronaldo when asked about his relatively poor start to the season, not so much in questions of scoring goals, but in terms of his reduced mobility on the pitch.

"We aren't aliens, I'm not, and I go through difficult moments as well," he explained, before looking ahead with optimism, and saying he felt "better all the time."

The Spanish press have hinted that he has been suffering from the knee injury which troubled him last season, but Ronaldo was unwilling to go into details about just what his problem has been.

"That's for me to know, but what I can say is that I've had some problems. I'm much better now. I feel better and that shows out on the pitch".

Ronaldo also quashed rumors that he was unhappy working with new Real Madrid coach, Rafael Benitez, and said he had not ruled out being named as the winner of the Balon D'Or award for a third consecutive years despite being well behind Barca duo of Leo Messi and Neymar in the betting.

"It's going to be difficult this year, but not impossible," he said. Endit