Ronaldo’s evolution as a player is lifting him to unprecedented heroics – ESPN FC (blog)

Cristiano Ronaldo recorded his 42nd career hat trick in style as Madrid took a commanding first-leg lead over Atletico. Cristiano Ronaldo recorded his 42nd career hat trick in style as Madrid took a commanding first-leg lead over Atletico. Cristiano Ronaldo recorded his 42nd career hat trick in style as Madrid took a commanding first-leg lead over Atletico. Cristiano Ronaldo recorded his 42nd career hat trick in style as Madrid took a commanding first-leg lead over Atletico. Cristiano Ronaldo recorded his 42nd career hat trick in style as Madrid took a commanding first-leg lead over Atletico. Cristiano Ronaldo recorded his 42nd career hat trick in style as Madrid took a commanding first-leg lead over Atletico. Cristiano Ronaldo recorded his 42nd career hat trick in style as Madrid took a commanding first-leg lead over Atletico. Cristiano Ronaldo recorded his 42nd career hat trick in style as Madrid took a commanding first-leg lead over Atletico.

Back in August 2016, expectations were high among Real Madrid fans. They had good reasons.

Before the summer, Zinedine Zidane's team had added another Champions League title to their trophy cabinet. Their impressive comeback in La Liga, although unsuccessful, was indeed a good omen, a sign that they would compete for the most important domestic tournament in the upcoming season.

The squad looked deep, and the promise of an excellent and complete term from Gareth Bale, coupled with a centre-forward version of Cristiano Ronaldo, made most supporters hope for a year full of great performances and plenty of silverware.

Had they known that this would become Bale's least-productive term in a Real Madrid shirt, their hopes would have sunk. The Wales international was key in the final push in La Liga last year, and his participation seemed essential for another fruitful season. However, at this point, with nine goals in 26 matches played, the disappointment has been remarkable.

To a bigger extent than in previous years, injuries have derailed Bale's ability to perform. And it's remarkable how the side have survived the recurring physical issues of one of their best players.

Bale's absences have not been helped by an also frustrating Karim Benzema. Sometimes inspired, sometimes inaccurate, the France striker's most defining characteristic is his inconsistency, and not even Zidane's noteworthy confidence in him has transformed the player into a dependable attacking weapon.

Of course, other players have chipped in at specific moments of the season to cover for Bale's attacking production or lack thereof. Alvaro Morata has had his moments but can't get a single start in any important match. James Rodriguez in midseason, Isco in the past couple of months, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez have all participated well to keep the team's challenge for the Champions League and La Liga titles alive. The instrumental goals of Sergio Ramos, of course, can't be forgotten.

But in recent weeks, as the stakes have become higher and higher, there's only one name on the scoresheet. Indeed, the "B" team has given starters the chance to rest while they get the results against lower opposition, but Ronaldo's output since the knockout stages of the Champions League started is overwhelming.

His agreement with Zidane to reduce his minutes is well known, and the numbers show the difference. This might be the first season since 2009-10 in which the Portugal forward ends up playing fewer than 30 matches and 2,500 minutes in La Liga. Compared to last season, that would represent seven fewer matches and over 600 fewer minutes played.

Long gone are the times in which Ronaldo wanted to play every minute in La Liga. The difference between his exhausted version in the past few matches of last season and the plethoric, clinical striker of the past month is telling. Listening to Zidane, accepting his new role and understanding the team's need for him to dose his playing time are signs of Ronaldo's evolution as a player and of his maturity as a leader.

If his records and titles during his tenure so far with Real Madrid had already made him an idol, a legend of the club, this end of the season is taking him to another level in qualitative terms. His heroics against top opposition in do-or-die matches has added a new dimension to his perception among the fans: a closer one, in which numbers are less important than feats.

The obsession to reduce everything to facts and figures can't justly summarise the greatness of Ronaldo this season. He'll probably end up with his lowest number of goals scored in his past eight years with Madrid. However, after having stolen a show that seemed prepared for Bale, this season may well be the one that most Madridistas will remember more fondly when discussing the great Ronaldo.

Eduardo is one of ESPN FC's Real Madrid bloggers and has been a socio since 1995. Follow him on Twitter @alvarez.

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Ronaldo's evolution as a player is lifting him to unprecedented heroics - ESPN FC (blog)