Cristiano Ronaldo hits two more milestones with double for Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo hit two more goalscoring milestones as he netted twice in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon on Saturday

Cristiano Ronaldo hit two more goalscoring milestones as he netted twice in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

The 31-year-old had a slow start to the campaign, but his hat-trick in the Madrid derby last week, paired with his two goals at the Bernabeu on Saturday, mean he has now scored 51 goals in 2016.

That means for the sixth calendar year in succession the forward has scored over 50 goals for both club and country (38 for Real Madrid, 13 for Portugal).

Ronaldo's first-half double put Real Madrid firmly on top of La Liga Ronaldo's first-half double put Real Madrid firmly on top of La Liga

The double in the 2-1 win also gave him 31 La Liga goals for the calendar year, meaning he has gone past the 30-goal mark for the seventh straight year in Spain.

Ronaldo's La Liga goals in calendar years Year Goals 2016 31 2015 37 2014 38 2013 38 2012 40 2011 43 2010 36

His next big milestone could be ticked off in under a fortnight, as he looks for his 100th goal in European competition. He is currently on 98, with Real facing Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabeu in their final Champions League group stage game on December 7.

Real head coach Zinedine Zidane heaped praise on the Portuguese, who has come under criticism this season for his form, and says he is fully fit and raring to go.

Ronaldo celebrates scoring Real's second goal at the Bernabeu

"That's what Cristiano is like, he can score goals at any moment," said Zidane.

"When he doesn't score goals everyone thinks he is not playing well. Today he scored twice and worked hard, down the wings and in the middle. He is fully recovered."

Former Real striker and current director Emilio Butragueno added: "His second goal was magisterial.

Zinedine Zidane heaped praise on the Portugal forward

"It was like a hammer, it was a sensational header. He was decisive yet again, but even forgetting that, it's a privilege to be able to count on a player like him."

The win stretched Real's unbeaten run to 31 games, equalling a mark set by former manager Carlo Ancelotti.