Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to English referee Martin Atkinson at half time of Real Madrid’s win over Atletico Madrid to discuss whether his opening goal was offside.

The former Manchester United star scored a hat-trick in the Champions League semi-final first leg win for Real at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo’s opener led to a debate as to whether he started the phase of play in an offside position and he waited for Atkinson in the tunnel.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo waited for referee Martin Atkinson in the tunnel at half time

The striker wanted to discuss whether his opening goal in the 3-0 win over Atletico was offside

The former Manchester United star said he 'didn't interfere' with play while standing offside

CRISTIANO RONALDO -EUROPEAN RECORD Appearances (2016/17): 11 Goals: 10 Assists: 6 Minutes per goal: 102 Total European apps/goals: 151/111 Advertisement

Speaking in English, Ronaldo asked the referee: ‘Atkinson, offside? Did you see it?’

Atkinson replied: ‘At first you were [offside], but then you didn’t…’

Ronaldo added: ’But I didn't interfere.’

It is likely that Ronaldo wanted to ensure the English officials did not think they had made a mistake with a big 45 minutes to go at the Bernabeu.

Sportsmail expert Graham Poll agreed with Atkinson that Ronaldo was onside.

Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final

The 32-year-old has now scored 42 hat-tricks for Real in his eight-year stay at the La Liga club

‘Cristiano Ronaldo may have scored two offside goals in the last round of the UEFA Champions League but his effort here to give Real the lead was definitely onside,’ Poll said.

‘Whilst the Portuguese player was in an offside position from the initial cross by Sergio Ramos he neither played the ball nor did he interfere with the line of vision of an opponent so, in law, is not deemed to be offside.

‘Once the ball was played in the second time, the next phase of play, he was clearly onside and scored.’