BACK ON TOP: RONALDO LEADS LA LIGA IN GOALS IN 2018

Los Blancos' star man has had a resurgence in the second half of the La Liga season and leads the list of top scorers since the turn of the yearCristiano Ronaldo is rounding into form in 2018.

The Real Madrid superstar endured a terrible start to the season and spent the first half of the campaign struggling to find the net as his team stumbled time and again, leading to arch rivals Barcelona holding a commanding 19-point lead heading into the weekend.

The Ballon d'Or winner winner netted just four league goals in the first half of the season, leading some to question if he was on the decline.

But the Portuguese forward has gotten 2018 off to a flying start, adding three more goals to his tally in Saturday's win over Real Sociedad.

The goals brought Ronaldo's league count to seven since the turn of the year, the best among all La Liga players in that time, with his full league count now standing at 11 on the season.

Saturday's goals came in style as well, with the 33-year-old netting a "perfect hat-trick" by scoring with both feet and his head as Madrid rolled to a 5-2 win, making him the first to accomplish that feat in Spain's top flight this season.

It's also notable that when Ronaldo scores, his side tends to win.

The Madrid ace has now scored in six La Liga matches this season, with all six ending victory for Los Blancos.
When he hasn't been among the goals the club have won six, drawn six and lost four.

Ronaldo also continues to torment Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu.

He has now scored in each of his seven home league matches against La Real, with his 15 goals in that period the most he's netted against any La Liga opponent at home.

The win let Madrid close the gap on Barcelona to 16 points, with both teams having played 22 matches.

Barca will be in action Sunday against Getafe, while Real Madrid host PSG in the first leg of a Champions League round of 16 tie midweek.