CRISTIANO RONALDO became Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer when he struck his side’s second goal in their 3-0 win against Levante yesterday. The former Manchester United winger reached his landmark in the 30th minute to move to 324 goals, one ahead of Raul.
It was a fitting day for the 30-year-old to set the record because he was presented with his Golden Shoe ahead of the game at the Bernabeu stadium for being Europe’s top scorer last season with 48 league goals, the fourth time he has won the award.
Marcelo had given Rafa Benitez’s side the lead after 27 minutes. It was not long, though, before Ronaldo became the story.
His record-breaking strike came with a shot from just outside the Levante penalty area three minutes later. Ronaldo’s goals have come in only 310 games for Madrid, while Raul, who announced last week that he will be retiring next month, scored his in 741 matches.
Jese, a second-half substitute, struck the third 10 minutes from time. The win took Real back to the top of the table.
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Gareth Bale failed to make an impact before being substituted at half-time.
A new record was set in Germany, where Bayern Munich won 1-0 at Werder Bremen to become the first side to win their opening nine Bundesliga matches.
Thomas Muller scored his ninth goal of the campaign in the 23rd minute when he struck from close range.
Arsenal, who play Bayern in the Champions League on Tuesday, might be hopeful that Robert Lewandowski has started a barren run. He failed to score for the first time in seven matches, having struck 15 in six games for Bayern and Poland.
Max Kruse scored his first career hat-trick as Wolfsburg beat Hoffenheim 4-2.