Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez praises record-breaker Cristiano Ronaldo

Madrid: Real Madrid head coach Rafael Benitez piled the praise on star striker Crisitiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese football team captain became his club's all-time top scorer in the La Liga after scoring five goals against a hapless Espanyol on Saturday.

Ronaldo's quintet means he as now scored 230 league goals, taking him past the previous record of 228, which was held by Spanish icon Raul Gonzalez and Ronaldo has achieved that feat in just 204 games, reports Xinhua.

"The numbers speak for themselves and someone who scores so many goals has a place in the history books," said the 55-year-old Benitez, who expects more to come, from Ronaldo who caused worries after looking out of sorts and failing to score in his first two games of the season.

"I hope that he can continue to add to his goalscoring account for his own benefit and the team," added the Real coach, who insisted the five goals he scored on Friday were down to his own merits rather that the defensive weakness of their rivals.

"Espanyol have a good team but when Cristiano has his day, it's impossible," said Benitez, whose side have scored 11 goals in their last two matches.

"I said this team would be offensive," commented the coach. "We attacked, but we try to have balance. At the front I ask you to have freedom of movement to create problems. That was the key. It was not easy and they have done very well," the former Liverpool, Chelsea, Napoli and Valencial coach concluded after saying his side can still "do better".

Impressive as Ronaldo's feats were, he is still behind one man: Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who scored against Atletico Madrid on Saturday to take his league tally to 290 goals.