Cristiano's 20th 'hat trick' - 179 GOALS IN 176 GAMES SINCE HIS ARRIVAL FROM MAN U

In a week that saw the Bernabeu embroiled in controversy with accusations of back-door ultimatums and locker room strife, Sunday's match against Getafe served as a respite for just about everyone. And for 90 minutes at least, Cristiano Ronaldo reminded fans why they turn up and tune in to watch Los Blancos each week.

Ronaldo scored a hat trick against their Madrid rivals with all three goals coming in the second half. It was just another chapter in the superb season that the Portuguese man has put together. The manner in which Ronaldo scored the hat trick should also be recognized: One goal coming from his left foot, another via his right foot and a third goal on a header. A complete hat trick if there ever was one.

A quick look at the numbers is almost as stunning as the Portuguese's performance on Sunday. For one, all three goals came in a span of just 10 minutes. It was Ronaldo's 20th career hat trick and his 19th with Madrid.

He now has 179 goals in 176 games his arrival from Manchester United putting him sixth on the club's all-time scoring list as he equaled of Francisco Gento's mark. With 10 goals already scored in 2013, Ronaldo is on pace to make a run at Lionel Messi’s record-breaking 2012.

It remains to be seen what will happen off the field with Madrid this week, but as he walked off the pitch to standing ovation late in the match, a message was sent to all that football comes first for Ronaldo.