Real Madrid can open a nine-point lead over bitter rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga by winning Saturday's 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp.

Despite being former midfield heroes for the clubs they now manage, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and his Real Madrid counterpart Zinedine Zidane are afforded little credit for their achievements in management.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted he has no doubt Cristiano Ronaldo will be the deserving winner of a fourth Ballon d'Or come January, but his hat-trick in a 3-0 defeat of Atletico Madrid on Saturday may convince others.

Cristiano Ronaldo converts one penalty, misses another and also scores from open play as Portugal beat Latvia 4-1 in their World Cup qualifier.

A day after signing a bumper fresh contract with Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo boosts his mind-boggling earnings with a new deal with Nike.

Cristiano Ronaldo signalled his intention to keep playing for 10 more years after rounding off a "dream year" by signing a bumper new five-year contract with Real Madrid on Monday.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has called on Cristiano Ronaldo to follow in his footsteps by retiring at the Santiago Bernabeu with the Portuguese the latest Real star set to sign a new contract.

Three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo will sign a new five-year contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid on Monday, the club confirmed on Sunday.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane praises his side's attitude after they put a four-game winless run behind them by thrashing Real Betis 6-1 in a relentless display away from home.

Argentina's pain is Barcelona's gain as Lionel Messi returns for the Spanish champions when Deportivo la Coruna visit the Camp Nou on Saturday after being sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury.

The Catalans host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on December 3 and while they may not be ahead of their fiercest rivals in La Liga at the moment, they hold the advantage in economic terms.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique makes no excuses after they lost 4-3 at Celta Vigo and missed the chance to top La Liga.

Atletico Madrid moved top of La Liga despite missing two penalties as Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro handed Diego Simeone's men a 2-0 win at Valencia on Sunday.

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos plays down any notion of a rift between Cristiano Ronaldo and head coach Zinedine Zidane.

Lionel Messi was forced off with the apparent recurrence of a groin injury as Atletico Madrid came from behind to hold Barcelona 1-1 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Real Madrid will have to cope without Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in the quest for a club-record 16th straight La Liga win

Cristiano Ronaldo warns Real Madrid will be punished if they don't improve on their performance in an edgy 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon to start their Champions League defence.

Cristiano Ronaldo uses his post-match interview following his goalscoring return against Osasuna to hit back at former Barcelona midfielder Xavi's comments.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo takes aim at Xavi following the former Barcelona midfielder's comments claiming Lionel Messi is superior.

Newly promoted Alaves stunned Spanish champions Barcelona by winning 2-1 at the Camp Nou on Saturday as boss Luis Enrique paid a heavy price for starting Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench.