Ronaldo not obsessed by record

Published May. 14, 2011 4:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

Cristiano Ronaldo has the Primera Division single-season scoring record within his sights as Real Madrid travel to a Villarreal on Sunday.

Ronaldo's hat-trick in Tuesday's derby with Getafe saw the Portugal international move onto 36 league goals for the campaign - five clear of nearest challenger Lionel Messi of Barcelona and just three away from breaking the single-season top-flight record of 38 goals, set by Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra in 1950/51 and equalled by Madrid's Hugo Sanchez in 1989/90.

Ronaldo, who has already netted the most Madrid goals in one season having struck 49 in all competitions to pass the legendary Ferenc Puskas' tally of 47 in the 1959/60 campaign, insists he is not obsessing about making history, however.

He told Madrid's website after the Getafe triumph: "I'm fighting to reach a very important mark, but I'm not obsessed about doing it."

If Madrid can keep up their recent away form then Ronaldo could have a great chance of moving closer to the record at El Madrigal.

In their last four league matches away from the Bernabeu, Madrid have claimed hugely impressive victories over top seven sides Atletico Madrid (2-1), Athletic Bilbao (3-0), Valencia (6-3) and Sevilla (6-2).

Despite those wins however Madrid still came up short in their fight for the title, although captain Iker Casillas nevertheless feels it has been a decent first season under new coach Jose Mourinho.

Casillas said: "If I had been told in pre-season that we would end up winning the Copa del Rey, reaching the Champions League semi-finals and finish runners-up in La Liga, I would have asked where to sign.

"Although we naturally want more and this will give us greater hopes for next season. I would give our season an eight (out of 10)."

Whereas Madrid have little to play for over the final two games of the season, Villarreal still have an outside chance of pipping local rivals Valencia to third place.

The Yellow Submarine, who are guaranteed at least fourth place, are currently five points behind Los Che and will therefore need to beat Madrid and then Osasuna whilst also hoping Unai Emery's men lose their matches against Levante and Deportivo La Coruna.

With the odds stacked against them, third place may now be beyond Villarreal, but goalkeeper Diego Lopez is still keen to put one over his former club Madrid.

He said: "It's going to be a vibrant match which we are really looking forward to playing.

"Although fourth place is secured we are going to play with professionalism and prestige. We are going to go out and give it everything and as if we were playing for our lives. Beating Madrid is always nice."