Portugese ace Cristiano Ronaldo has said that Real Madrid are capable of winning the Champions League this season, after a perfect start to the campaign has seen the Spanish side qualify for the knockout stages at the earliest possible opportunity.
Real last won the trophy in 2002, but Ronaldo has said that the current Madrid side is the best team he has played in since arriving at the club just two years ago.
Ronaldo was recently included in the 23 player shortlist for the prestigious FIFA Ballon D'Or award, finding himself competing against several players from rival club, and current Champions League champions Barcelona. Whilst it's great to be recognised as one of the current football greats, Ronaldo insists that he is not looking for personal achievements, and would rather the club plays well.
Ronaldo's scoring record of 103 goals during his 106 Real Madrid appearances suggests that they might need him to keep up his current run of form if they are to have any real chance of succeeding in this year's Champions League. With their 3 point lead over Barcelona, Real are already odds on to win the title according to the latest La Liga Betting odds.
The 26 year old was also instrumental in Portugal's convincing 6-2 victory over Bosnia during the week, a win which takes his country into the finals of Euro 2012. After a disappointing performance in the first leg in Bosnia, Ronaldo scored twice in Lisbon, including opening the scoring, as Portugal swept away their challengers to qualify for the finals.
Bookmakers have dropped the odds of Portugal winning the tournament after their recent run of form, and it's hard to argue that Ronaldo would be the most important factor if Portugal were to progress to the latter stages of the competition - Ronaldo has the experience of winning virtually every possible honour at club level, as well as many individual awards. As well as their superstar Portugal have talented players throughout the side, with Nani, Pepe and Meireles in particular standing out.
Ronaldo will be looking to head into the Euros in great form, and hopefully with a few more trophies added to his cabinet. The Real Madrid betting markets suggest that winning a Liga and Champions League double might be a long shot (at 15/1) but Ronaldo (and the rest of us) can dream...