'Criticised', 'lucky', and enjoying a better average than Messi

In recent weeks, the Portugal international has taken every available step forward to get into the best possible shape for the final stretch of the season, and his numbers certainly show it.

A hat-trick against Real Sociedad and a brace against Paris Saint-Germain has propelled Ronaldo back into some positive goalscoring form.

It means the 33-year-old arrives at the Estadio Benito Villamarin hoping to continue finding the back of the net as he looks to equal Raul's record on Sunday.

However, his recent performances still do not convince Xavi Hernandez, who declared that Ronaldo was no better than Neymar during the first leg of Real Madrid and PSG's Round of 16 clash on Wednesday.

Nonetheless, the Madrid forward can claim a certain bragging right over his rival Messi as at the moment he has a better goal average than the Argentine. Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in 29 games at a rate of 0.86 per game while Messi's average is 0.71 after netting 27 times in 38 appearances.

It seems the criticism is slightly unfair on the Portuguese forward but, as always, it will depend on where both players finish up come May.