体坛英语新闻：Ronaldo: this is my best ever start to a season

MADRID, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo was this Monday awarded by the Alfredo di Stefano handed out by the Spanish sports paper, Diario Marca for the best footballer in the BBVA Primera Liga for 2013 and then said he thought he was in some of the best form of his career.

The fact that Ronaldo was given the award, which is voted for by readers of the pro-Real Madrid newspaper, is no great surprise, but it is a fair reward for his incredible season to date in which he not only led Portugal almost single handedly to the World Cup finals, but has also netted 17 goals in the league and Ronaldo himself knows he is at a good moment of his career.

"I am in good form, I think it is the best start of a season that I have had in my career, but I have always been in very good form in recent years," said Ronaldo on picking up his award.

Ronaldo's side moved to within three points of BBVA Primera Liga leaders, FC Barcelona after the weekend's round of matches and the striker was confident that Real Madrid could go from strength to strength.

"I think we are looking very strong and we are getting better bit by bit. I want to help the team remain in condition until the end of the season, which is when you win titles. We are strong, confident and we want to carry on like that," said Ronaldo, who has no great secret to his team's good performances.

"The formula to success is work, to keep your concentration in training and in matches. Work hard all of the time," he said, adding that he had recovered from the muscle problem which has kept him out of the last two matches. "We have to take everything at the right time. We are playing in order to try to win the League and the Champions League," he said, adding that neighbors, Atletico Madrid could also be rivals for the title.

"I am not surprised by them, I have seen them looking strong ever since last year. They are well organized, have a good coach and a very good goalkeeper (Courtois), they are candidates," he said.