Cristiano, one goal away from matching Di Stéfano's haul

The Portuguese star will try to match the legendary Madrid hero’s record against Valencia. He has scored in his last four meetings with Nuno’s side.

Cristiano Ronaldo could become Real Madrid's highest goalscorer of all-time before the end of the calendar year

Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself one goal away from matching the tally of Alfredo Di Stéfano, the second-highest scorer in Real Madrid’s history. The Portuguese will try to do it today (Saturday) against Valencia, an opponent against whom he has scored in their last four meetings. At the Bernabéu, he has scored four goals in five matches against them.

Today could be one of those days in which Cristiano makes history. In four seasons and 99 matches fewer, the Portuguese star could draw level with an institution like the Blond Arrow, who, like Cristiano, never said he was a pure number nine: “When I arrived in Spain and they spoke of me as a striker I did not understand anything. I was a box-to-box player. There are photos of me in the newspapers scoring in the area, but I liked to play further back. Pedernera had been seen doing it. Our Madrid invented a way of playing.”

He was box to box. They were different times, times in which Madrid, who were lead by Di Stéfano, won five consecutive European Cups (1956-1960).

“Cristiano is the Di Stéfano of the 21^st century,” Gento told AS. Today, 51 years after the Argentinian played his final match with Madrid, the Portuguese (42 Liga goals this season), who is battling with Messi (40 goals) for the Golden Shoe, could match his haul. And he will soon have the record of Raúl, who is just 16 goals away, in his sights…