'Cristiano Ronaldo is above the rest' - Real Madrid's Marcelo says there is no comparison despite Gareth Bale hat-trick

Real Madrid left-back Marcelo is refusing to compare Gareth Bale with Ballon d'Or favourite Cristiano Ronaldo after the Welshman bagged a perfect hat-trick on Saturday.

Bale starred in Saturday’s 4-0 La Liga victory at home to 17-placed Real Valladolid, but Marcelo said: "There is no need to compare them, Cristiano is above the rest of the players and everyone in the team knows that.”

Real Madrid hat-trick is a dream come true, says Bale

The Welshman was ecstatic at registering his first treble for the Spanish giants and attributed his progress to learning from Cristiano Ronaldo

Gareth Bale admitted he had realised a dream after scoring his first hat-trick for Real Madrid against Valladolid on Saturday.

The Wales international's form in front of goal has been exceptional since his return to full fitness, with the €100 million man notching seven goals and six assists in nine Liga matches, and he pinned his impressive return on the opportunity to train every day alongside Cristiano Ronaldo - the man he insists deserves this year's Ballon d'Or.