Real Madrid fans need not criticise superstar Cristiano Ronaldo according to defender Pepe, who sees the player in fine form. Ronaldo is in the race to win the Pichichi award after being in fine scoring form over the last few weeks.

However, he has gathered most of the goals against a few opposition in a limited number of matches while failing to perform against the top teams. This has been the major criticism of the former Manchester United winger. Madrid are a whopping 12 points behind leaders Barcelona and this disparity has largely come as a result of Ronaldo not doing well.

This led to some animosity between . Ronaldo was booed by his own supporters, but he responded in fantastic manner after scoring four against Celta de Vigo. Fans, however, are unlikely to lower their protests since they have witnessed yet another performance from Ronaldo in a match where not much is at stake. The Portuguese superstar saw his rival Lionel Messi win a fifth FIFA Ballon d’Or while he remains stuck on three. Ronaldo has revealed his ultimate ambition to lift the title for a few more times before retiring, and maybe taking up Wedding Photography in Derbyshire.

Ronaldo took his season’s tally to 27 league goals after his effort against Celta de Vigo. “He is on track for the Pichichi, he has scored a lot of goals and people continue to criticise him. I would like to be in his situation. I think we need to focus on our game and play together, because when the fans and the players are united we are that much stronger,” said Pepe, who also reserved praise for manager Zinedine Zidane. “He was a mythical player with the club and at a world-class level. Now we have to let him be himself,” said Pepe about the manager.