La Liga 2016-17: Raul says that Cristiano Ronaldo has always been self-critical of his performances; picks Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or prize

Cristiano Ronaldo is enduring his slowest ever start to a La Liga campaign as the superstar has scored just two goals in the league campaign until now and has just four goals in nine games this season; which is average by his own standard.

His teammate and Real Madrid legend, Raul, has revealed that the Portuguese has always been self-critical of his performances and he believes that Ronaldo will overcome his recent slump to get back to his usual best.

Raul who played with Ronaldo in the 2009-10 season has also revealed that he still visits Real's training ground and the fact that Ronaldo is very much liked and respected by his colleagues.

Raul, who is La Liga's country manager for the United States of America was on air for Cadena SER's " El Larguero" radio show where he spoke about a host of issues including the Ballon d'Or race and also about the two best players in the world in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Raul said, "Ronaldo has personality and hunger. What he wants is the best for the team, and he is always very self-critical and asks a lot of himself. He always wants to be in good form. He gets 50 goals a season! I used to find it tough to get to 20."

The Portuguese took 11 shots in Madrid's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and the Bernabeu jeered him as he had the option to pass instead of shooting aimlessly for the majority of the game.

Thoughts regarding the Ballon d’Or race

The Real Madrid legend also gave his views on the three men running for the coveted Ballon d’Or prize, "I think it will be Cristiano. It is between Cristiano and Messi, and Griezmann could be on the podium. Cristiano, Messi and Griezmann would be a good podium.”

“The Champions League and the Euros have a lot of weight, and I believe this is Cristiano's year. It depends on the moment in time. Cristiano and Messi have their level, then it depends on whether you like one or the other," Raul added.

Many have predicted that this season will finally be the one where Gareth Bale breaks the shackles and emerges as Real Madrid's talisman for the near future and Raul gave his views on the Welshman recently. He said, "Bale is all the time more integrated into the team, and settled in the city. He has scored many goals. He has physical power with a lot of talent, but Cristiano and Messi are apart from the others.

“Then you have the next level with Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Bale and others that I am forgetting for sure," he continued.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 31, has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently as the media were in doubt over his reaction to Alvaro Morata's winner against Bilbao as it had appeared that he was appealing for offside against his own teammates' goal.

He was also criticized by his own set of fans when he posted a photo on social media alongside a statue of Lord Buddha where he was said to have hurt religious sentiments inadvertently.