On This Day 10 Years Ago: Cristiano Ronaldo Scores His First La Liga Hat-trick For Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo was so good, that, looking back on it now, it almost seems unbelievable that it took him nine months into his Real Madrid career to score his first La Liga hat-trick.

It was May 5th, 2010. Real Madrid — trailing Barcelona in the league — travelled to Mallorca needing to grind out an away win to cut Barca’s lead to one point in the table.

Real Madrid’s starting line-up that day, courtesy of Transfermarkt:

Mallorca got off to a good start, after Aritz Aduriz opened the scoring. But as you’ll see below, Cristiano Ronaldo scored three straight goals — all breathtaking — before Higuain polished off the game with a 1 - 4 away win. Sergio Ramos and Guti slung three gorgeous assist along the way.

Real Madrid ended the season trophy-less, as that team — despite the heavy signings in 2009 — were still in transition and finding their feet. Cristiano Ronaldo went on to score 34 La Liga hat-tricks for Real Madrid, and lifted four Champions League titles.