Cristiano Ronaldo dedicates five goal haul to Real Madrid team-mates for supporting him through his recent barren spell

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Cristiano Ronaldo scored five in Real Madrid's 6-0 defeat of Espanyol
Portuguese star dedicated goals to his team-mates at the Bernabeu
Lionel Messi came on to score the winner against Atletico Madrid
Argentina captain is enjoying an improved relationship with Luis Enrique
Mario Balotelli missed chances as Inter defeated AC Milan in the derby

Published: 04:00 EST, 14 September 2015 | Updated: 04:44 EST, 14 September 2015

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Despite not usually being renowned for his selflessness, Cristiano Ronaldo dedicated his five-goal haul at the weekend to his Real Madrid team-mates.

The Portuguese superstar had endured a barren run of nine games before the floodgates opened against Espanyol on Saturday - with Ronaldo netting all but one of the goals in the 6-0 victory at Cornellà-El Prat.

The goal fest took the 30-year-old past Spanish legend Raul as Real Madrid's all-time league goalscorer and Ronaldo paid tribute to his team-mates' support, with Marca reporting him saying in the dressing room after the game: 'The five goals are yours'.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after rediscovering his scoring touch against Espanyol

The front page of Marca (left) quoted Ronaldo dedicating his five goals against Espanyol to his team-mates while AS (right) reported that Real Madrid have not yet conceded under Keylor Navas this term

After three games, Real lie two points behind champions Barcelona in the table with the so-called 'BBC' striker force of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo making their best start to a season with nine goals between them.

While Marca has been heralding Real Madrid's potency in attack, AS has noted that goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who only remained at the Bernabeu after the deadline day collapse of a move for Manchester United No 1 David de Gea, has been excelling at the opposite end.

Rafa Benitez's side are the only team in La Liga not to concede a goal under the Costa Rica international, who reportedly 'works like a wild animal'.

Lionel Messi came off the bench to net the winner against Atletico Madrid with his 287th league goal

The Argentina superstar is now enjoying a fruitful relationship with coach Luis Enrique

The reason Barcelona are leading is unsurprisingly courtesy of Lionel Messi who came off the bench to score his 287th goal - cementing his place as the league's all-time leading scorer - in the 2-1 defeat of Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine phenomenon, who fell out with coach Luis Enrique after being rested for the defeat by David Moyes' Real Sociedad last season, reportedly agreed with his manager that he would start the game on the bench following the birth of his son last week.

Sport claim the pair have found the 'perfect relationship' as they prepare for a European showdown with Roma on Wednesday - which will be Messi's 100th Champions League game.

Meanwhile, Inter manager Roberto Mancini won a charity bet with his Milan counterpart Sinisa Mihajlovic after his side's closely fought 1-0 victory in the Milan derby.

Mario Balotelli could not deny Inter victory in the Milan derby while Juventus' problems continue

Substitute Balotelli twice came close for AC Milan with some efforts from long range

Corriere dello Sport led with 'Inter fly beyond Balo' after the Liverpool misfit almost scored twice against another of his former teams during an impressive second debut for the Rossoneri, but could not prevent Fredy Guarin's winner taking Inter to the top of the table.

Last season's double winners Juventus are languishing in 16th place, eight points behind the leaders, after earning their only point of the season in the weekend's 1-1 draw with Chievo.

According to Tuttosport, coach Massimiliano Allegri blasted: ‘We cannot rest on our laurels, but look to the present with an eye on the future. No alibis, Juve must participate to win everything’