Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata says Cristiano Ronaldo is "not a robot" who can be expected to score five goals in every game but is still the world's best player.
Madrid announced on Sunday that Ronaldo had agreed a contract extension until 2021, but he was not able to celebrate the new deal with a goal in the 3-0 victory over newly promoted Leganes.
Gareth Bale scored a brace and Morata rounded off the scoring as Ronaldo endured another frustrating 90 minutes, managing zero shots on target and being booked for shouting at referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.
It now almost two months since Ronaldo last scored at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, but Morata told reporters: "[Ronaldo] is not a robot. If he was, he would score five goals in every game, but he is a great player -- for me, the best."
Bale outshone Ronaldo at the Bernabeu, scoring with Madrid's first two shots on target and testing Leganes keeper Jon Serantes on six occasions. Following his superb goal in the midweek 3-3 Champions League draw at Legia Warsaw, the former Tottenham man has now scored three times in two games since signing his own contract extension last week.
The Guardian has suggested that the Wales international is now the Bernabeu's best-paid player, and some Spanish pundits have said he has been the team's "leader" during Ronaldo's poor run of form.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS after Sunday's game, Real Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno said Bale has a "fundamental" role in the team.
"[Bale] is aware of his importance to the team," Butragueno said. "Not just for his goals, but his overall play. He has physicality, manages the ball, scores goals. He is fundamental [for us], and his teammates know his potential. What has to be done is to take advantage of that."