Bernabéu Bites, 11.10.2013: Our Very Own BBC

As you have probably heard by now, Cristiano Ronaldo is an alien and not of this world (if you're a boots enthusiast, you'll notice that these 'other-worldly' remarks fall in line perfectly with Ronaldo's new set of kicks). The Portuguese invader tallied his 23rd hat-trick in a Real Madrid shirt in yesterday's 5-1 drubbing of Real Sociedad. His season has started with such an outpouring of goals that he's actually outdoing his own mercurial self. In fact, through 17 matches, CR7 has netted 24 goals; 5 more than his previous best of 19 through the same number of matches last season. That graphic illustrates the improvement in Ronaldo year after year. So my question is, will it ever stop? My next question is where in the universe was he created and how do we obtain an army of clones to stock our academy with?

ESPN's Nicholas Rigg recapped yesterday's dismantling of poor La Real with a keen focus on our very own beloved enigma, Karim Benzema. Rigg quite rightly points out that Big Benz is stringing together very nice performances, even if his name isn't showing up on the scoresheet like other prolific strikers in Europe. The BBC connection (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano) is looking more and more beneficial to all parties, collective and individual.

Rhiannon Jones (yes, I did find a way to sneak her into the Bites again and no, I am not a stalker) sat down with Gareth Bale post-match yesterday. The Welshman had this to say about playing alongside his idol turned teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bale&amp;src=hash">#Bale</a> (on Ronaldo): &quot;When you play with the best it makes things easier. Cristiano is incredible. He scores hat-tricks almost every week.&quot;</p>&mdash; Rhiannon Jones (@rhiannoncwjones) <a href="https://twitter.com/rhiannoncwjones/statuses/399486621252595712">November 10, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bale&amp;src=hash">#Bale</a>: &quot;My preseason is over now &amp; I think I can deliver more. I think I can score many more goals &amp; help the team achieve great things.&quot;</p>&mdash; Rhiannon Jones (@rhiannoncwjones) <a href="https://twitter.com/rhiannoncwjones/statuses/399488228820287488">November 10, 2013</a></blockquote>
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And finally, Xabi Alonso continues his return to form and fitness. The redbeard lasted 70 minutes this time around and continued building himself back up.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>infograph: Xabi only misplaced 5 of his 47 passes against Real Sociedad (43 were accurate) <a href="http://t.co/ceNrDUGh1V">pic.twitter.com/ceNrDUGh1V</a></p>&mdash; SB (@Realmadridplace) <a href="https://twitter.com/Realmadridplace/statuses/399519826864910337">November 10, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Look at all those pretty diagonals.

<h4>More from Managing Madrid:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2013/11/9/5084700/ancelotti-on-cr7-hes-otherworldly?utm_source=managingmadrid&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Ancelotti on CR7: "He's otherworldly"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2013/11/9/5084354/real-madrid-vs-real-sociedad-liga-2013-score?utm_source=managingmadrid&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Real Madrid Vs. Real Sociedad, Liga BBVA 2013-2014 Match Recap: Another Hat-Trick for Ronaldo (5-1)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2013/11/8/5080650/marcelo-real-madrid-arthritis-knee?utm_source=managingmadrid&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Marcelo Diagnosed With Traumatic Arthritis In Left Knee</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2013/11/5/5070332/juventus-real-madrid-champions-league-2013-score?utm_source=managingmadrid&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Juventus Vs Real Madrid, Champions League 2013-2014 Match Recap: Real Madrid Still Undefeated In Europe</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2013/11/6/5071400/carlo-ancelotti-juventus-press?utm_source=managingmadrid&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">"Iker Was Decisive": Carlo Ancelotti & The Players After The Match.</a></li>
</ul>