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Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his second goal against Real Mallorca during their Spanish first division soccer match at Ono stadium in Palma de Mallorca May 5, 2010. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick to keep his side in the race for the BBVA Primera Liga title on Wednesday night and they said this Thursday he was hoping Barcelona would make a mistake to allow his team win the league.
Ronaldo's three goals helped Real Madrid fight back from a goal down to win 4-1 in Mallorca. That win means Madrid still has hopes of beating Barcelona to the title, but they are still one point behind the league leaders and with just two games left to play, the destiny of the title is not in their hands.
"We want to win this league and now we have to hope that Barcelona make a mistake," said Ronaldo, before talking about the Mallorca game, where Madrid had to come back from behind after Aritz Aduriz had put Mallorca ahead.
"The coach calmed us down at half time and we controlled the game in the second half and played a lot better," he said.
Ronaldo's hat trick means he has scored 25 goals in the Primera Liga this season, despite having missed two seasons through injury.
"It's hard to say how many goals I could have had, but I am happy how things have gone and I thank my companions for helping me adapt," he said.
Barcelona's next game is their hardest as they travel to play Sevilla in the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday, anything other a win for Barcelona would give Real Madrid its chance.
"The league will be decided this Saturday night. We are all hoping that Barcelona leaves a point or two on its visit to the Pizjuan and I want that to happen. I don't see myself as Champion, but I hope we can do so at the end of the season," concluded Ronaldo.