Having scored eight goals in the last two games, Cristiano Ronaldo is hitting top form as Real Madrid look to start the season strongly under new manager Rafael Benitez.

Off The Ball's European football correspondent Graham Hunter joined Cian Murtagh on last night's show to discuss the relationship between the Portuguese star and his Spanish manager.

According to Hunter, the local media is full of "lapdogs" and mentions that journalists one one specific paper have been told "to lay off Madrid". After Ronaldo's eight goals, Benitez told the press sarcastically that he will constantly tell the press that Ronaldo is the best player in the world to place the local media.

The Madrid number Seven is praising his team mates this season for the goals he has scored so far, but Hunter told Cian that "he wants an image that will help him get votes for the Ballon d'Or" in January, although he also added that he thinks Messi "will romp it".