<strong>November 30, 2015:</strong> Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar are nominated for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or award, that recognizes the world's best player. The winner will be announced in Zurich in January.
November 30, 2015: Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar are nominated for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or award, that recognizes the world's best player. The winner will be announced in Zurich in January.
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<strong>November 29, 2015: </strong>Ronaldo scores a late goal from the penalty spot as minnows Eibar are beaten 2-0 to ease the pressure on coach Rafa Benitez after the 4-0 home defeat to Barca.
November 29, 2015: Ronaldo scores a late goal from the penalty spot as minnows Eibar are beaten 2-0 to ease the pressure on coach Rafa Benitez after the 4-0 home defeat to Barca.
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
<strong>November 28, 2015: </strong>Barcelona's talented treble were all on the scoresheet as Real Sociedad were thumped 4-0 at the Camp Nou, Neymar grabbing two. The win maintained Barca's four-point lead at the top of La Liga.
November 28, 2015: Barcelona's talented treble were all on the scoresheet as Real Sociedad were thumped 4-0 at the Camp Nou, Neymar grabbing two. The win maintained Barca's four-point lead at the top of La Liga.
David Ramos/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>November 25, 2015: </strong>After a rare three-game drought, Ronaldo returned to scoring ways with a double as Real beat Shakhtar Donetsk 4-3 in the Champions League.
November 25, 2015: After a rare three-game drought, Ronaldo returned to scoring ways with a double as Real beat Shakhtar Donetsk 4-3 in the Champions League.
JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>November 24, 2015:</strong> Lionel Messi returned to Barcelona's starting line-up a with a bang -- scoring twice in a 6-1 victory over Roma in the European Champions League. The Argentine missed two months of the season after injuring a knee ligament in September.
November 24, 2015: Lionel Messi returned to Barcelona's starting line-up a with a bang -- scoring twice in a 6-1 victory over Roma in the European Champions League. The Argentine missed two months of the season after injuring a knee ligament in September.
David Ramos/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>November 8, 2015: </strong>In Messi's absence, Luis Suarez and Neymar stepped up and hit prolific form. The latter has eight goals in his last five La Liga matches. The Brazilian scores his second goal in Barcelona's match against Villarreal, an incredible flick, pirouette and volley to put his team 3-0 up.
November 8, 2015: In Messi's absence, Luis Suarez and Neymar stepped up and hit prolific form. The latter has eight goals in his last five La Liga matches. The Brazilian scores his second goal in Barcelona's match against Villarreal, an incredible flick, pirouette and volley to put his team 3-0 up.
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<strong>November 4, 2015:</strong> Luis Suarez slots home the second goal in a 3-0 win over BATE Borisov in the Champions League.
November 4, 2015: Luis Suarez slots home the second goal in a 3-0 win over BATE Borisov in the Champions League.
David Ramos/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>October 31, 2015:</strong> Cristiano Ronaldo heads home Real Madrid's second goal in a 3-1 win over Las Palmas. He has failed to score in his subsequent three matches and will be looking for a return to form against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
October 31, 2015: Cristiano Ronaldo heads home Real Madrid's second goal in a 3-1 win over Las Palmas. He has failed to score in his subsequent three matches and will be looking for a return to form against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
CURTO DE LA TORRE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>October 17, 2015:</strong> Ronaldo celebrates with teammates after scoring against Levante to become Real Madrid's leading all-time goalscorer. As of October 17, 2015, the Portuguese striker had scored 324 goals in 309 games for the Spanish giants.
October 17, 2015: Ronaldo celebrates with teammates after scoring against Levante to become Real Madrid's leading all-time goalscorer. As of October 17, 2015, the Portuguese striker had scored 324 goals in 309 games for the Spanish giants.
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<strong>October 17, 2015: </strong>Cristiano Ronaldo spits out water prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Levante UD. The Portuguese striker would go on to break the Real Madrid scoring record shortly after.
October 17, 2015: Cristiano Ronaldo spits out water prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Levante UD. The Portuguese striker would go on to break the Real Madrid scoring record shortly after.
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<strong>October 17, 2015:</strong> Cristiano Ronaldo poses with his Golden Shoe award for the 2014/15 season prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. The golden shoe is the annual award given to Europe's leading goalscorer.
October 17, 2015: Cristiano Ronaldo poses with his Golden Shoe award for the 2014/15 season prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. The golden shoe is the annual award given to Europe's leading goalscorer.
Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>October 16, 2015:</strong> Barcelona faced a testing few weeks without talisman Lionel Messi, but Neymar and Luis Suarez have emphatically filled the void.
October 16, 2015: Barcelona faced a testing few weeks without talisman Lionel Messi, but Neymar and Luis Suarez have emphatically filled the void.
Alex Caparros/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>September 30, 2015:</strong> A night Ronaldo will never forget -- two goals against Malmo in the Champions League took his career tally to 501. He joins the exclusive 500 club, which includes Pele, Puskas and Gerd Muller. The forward's brace drew him level with Raul on 323 goals for Real. The 2-0 victory maintained Los Blancos' 100% start in Europe.
September 30, 2015: A night Ronaldo will never forget -- two goals against Malmo in the Champions League took his career tally to 501. He joins the exclusive 500 club, which includes Pele, Puskas and Gerd Muller. The forward's brace drew him level with Raul on 323 goals for Real. The 2-0 victory maintained Los Blancos' 100% start in Europe.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>September 26th. 2015:</strong> It's a sight no Barcelona fan wanted to see -- Lionel Messi injured. The star faced two months on the side-lines after tearing a ligament in his knee during Barca's 2-1 win over Las Palmas.
September 26th. 2015: It's a sight no Barcelona fan wanted to see -- Lionel Messi injured. The star faced two months on the side-lines after tearing a ligament in his knee during Barca's 2-1 win over Las Palmas.
Alex Caparros/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>September 19, 2015: </strong>Cristiano Ronaldo may not have scored, but he did walk out at the Bernabeu with the son of the Syrian refugee tripped by a Hungarian journalist. Osama Alabed Al-Mohsen and his 7-year-old son Zied were guests of honor for Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Granada.
September 19, 2015: Cristiano Ronaldo may not have scored, but he did walk out at the Bernabeu with the son of the Syrian refugee tripped by a Hungarian journalist. Osama Alabed Al-Mohsen and his 7-year-old son Zied were guests of honor for Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Granada.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>September 20, 2015: </strong>Barcelona maintained its 100% record in La Liga this season by beating Levante 4-1 at the Camp Nou. Messi scored twice, including one from the penalty spot. However, the Argentine missed a second spot kick, meaning he hasn't scored 16 of the 72 penalties he's taken for Barca, according to Opta. Messi has also missed four out of his last 10 penalties -- no other player in Spain's top flight has missed more in the last decade.
September 20, 2015: Barcelona maintained its 100% record in La Liga this season by beating Levante 4-1 at the Camp Nou. Messi scored twice, including one from the penalty spot. However, the Argentine missed a second spot kick, meaning he hasn't scored 16 of the 72 penalties he's taken for Barca, according to Opta. Messi has also missed four out of his last 10 penalties -- no other player in Spain's top flight has missed more in the last decade.
Alex Caparros/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>September 15, 2015</strong><strong>: </strong>Ronaldo sparkles in Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Santiago Bernabeu. He claimed the 33rd hat-trick of his career and moved three goals clear of Lionel Messi at the top of the Champions League all-time scoring chart on 80.
September 15, 2015: Ronaldo sparkles in Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Santiago Bernabeu. He claimed the 33rd hat-trick of his career and moved three goals clear of Lionel Messi at the top of the Champions League all-time scoring chart on 80.
Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>September 12, 2015</strong><strong>: </strong>Cristiano Ronaldo smashed five goals past Espanyol to become Real Madrid's all-time top scorer in La Liga. The Portugal striker moved ahead of Alfredo di Stefano and Raul to amass 229 goals in 203 matches.
September 12, 2015: Cristiano Ronaldo smashed five goals past Espanyol to become Real Madrid's all-time top scorer in La Liga. The Portugal striker moved ahead of Alfredo di Stefano and Raul to amass 229 goals in 203 matches.
Alex Caparros/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>September 12, 2015: </strong>The Argentine came off the bench at the Vicente Calderon to inspire Barcelona to a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Messi was left out of the starting 11 because he missed training to be present at the birth of his second child.
September 12, 2015: The Argentine came off the bench at the Vicente Calderon to inspire Barcelona to a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Messi was left out of the starting 11 because he missed training to be present at the birth of his second child.
Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>August 17, 2015: </strong>Messi's goal against Athletic Bilbao was not enough to help his side stage an unlikely comeback in the Supercopa. Barcelona were bidding to overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit, but the tie ended 1-5 on aggregate.
August 17, 2015: Messi's goal against Athletic Bilbao was not enough to help his side stage an unlikely comeback in the Supercopa. Barcelona were bidding to overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit, but the tie ended 1-5 on aggregate.
Alex Caparros/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>August 11, 2015: </strong>Leo Messi hit two free kicks past Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup final, which took place in Tbilisi, Georgia. Pedro's extra-time goal gave Barcelona a 5-4 victory over their rivals.
August 11, 2015: Leo Messi hit two free kicks past Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup final, which took place in Tbilisi, Georgia. Pedro's extra-time goal gave Barcelona a 5-4 victory over their rivals.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
In the 2014/15 season, Messi and Ronaldo scored a combined 119 goals for club and country. In a season where the Barcelona won La Liga, the Copa Rey and the UEFA Champions League, the Argentine maestro hit 58 goals.
In the 2014/15 season, Messi and Ronaldo scored a combined 119 goals for club and country. In a season where the Barcelona won La Liga, the Copa Rey and the UEFA Champions League, the Argentine maestro hit 58 goals.
Miguel Ruiz/Getty Images
Real Madrid failed to win a trophy last season. On the upside, Ronaldo was named as the world's best player by FIFA and ended the season with 61 goals - three ahead of Messi.
Real Madrid failed to win a trophy last season. On the upside, Ronaldo was named as the world's best player by FIFA and ended the season with 61 goals - three ahead of Messi.
Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images
Lionel Messi (9) vs. Cristiano Ronaldo (17): 2015-16 goal race

Story highlights

Cristiano Ronaldo officially becomes the leading scorer in Real Madrid's history

Portuguese striker scores in club's 3-0 win over Levante

CNN  — 

Cristiano Ronaldo officially became the leading goalscorer in Real Madrid history by firing home in Saturday’s comfortable victory over Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 30-year-old scored with a typically precise low shot from the edge of the area on 30 minutes to put Los Blancos two goals up on its way to a 3-0 victory.

Real Madrid already considered Ronaldo its record scorer – and held a ceremony at the beginning of October to bestow him with the honor– as it credited him with a deflected goal in 2010 that official UEFA statistics recorded as a goal for his teammate Pepe.

After Saturday’s strike, however, there can now be no dispute on the matter of Real’s outright leading marksman.

Ronaldo has scored 324 goals in just 309 games – a feat all the more remarkable given the club’s previous leading scorer, Raul, took 431 more games to reach his tally of 323 Real Madrid goals.

The Portuguese took to the pitch before the game displaying the golden shoe he earned last year as Europe’s top goalscorer, the fourth time he has received that accolade.

And his achievement in overtaking Raul’s record was all the more potent given the 38-year-old former Spain striker announced earlier in the week that he will retire after a brief stint at the New York Cosmos.

Madrid fans also unveiled a banner prior to the match giving thanks to their one-time hero Raul.

As well as recording a historic moment, Saturday’s win marks a welcome return to form for Rafael Benitez’s side which was forced to call up numerous youth team players given a spate of injuries to first team stars such as Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos.

It’s previous two La Liga matches, against Malaga and Atletico Madrid had ended in draws and left it trailing early season league leader Villarreal atop the table.

“We had a bit of a handicap and to win 3-0 with some very good phases of the game for me is very positive,” said the former Liverpool and Valencia manager Benitez.

The result sees Madrid return to top spot, temporarily at least, with Villarreal not in action until it faces third placed Celta Vigo on Sunday.