Real Madrid's total dominance over the last few months has come to a sudden and surprising end in the last week.
The Spanish giants were finally beaten by Sevilla to end a 40-match unbeaten run, before beingbeaten again by Celta Vigo; crashingout of the Copa del Rey after a 2-2 draw against the same opponents left them defeated4-3 on aggregate. Their lead at the top of La Liga has been cut to just one point by Sevilla, who are chasing their first title since 1946.
FACT: Only three players are current top goalscorer for their club and country:
- Lionel Messi 
- Cristiano Ronaldo 
- Wayne Rooney  pic.twitter.com/mT81V3PxsA
In this time of relative crisis, star talent Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message of defiance to his ever-present haters.
"Haters, everyone has haters, not only me. It's part of the business.I go to bed every night in a good mood, happy, I sleep good every night. I'm not here to make my haters happy, I'm here to make my fans happy because they are loyal to me." Ronaldo saidat the All Football Awards.
"And they show me respect and love all the time. This for me is more important."
Ronaldo has only scored three goals in January, but showed his top quality with a wonderful free kick against Celta Vigo in the draw. Talents of such a high profile always receive more haters than anybody else, probably out of jealousy - just ask Wayne Rooney.
Who saw this coming?
Real Madrid were stunned by Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey
More: https://t.co/UNOYlk9LZc pic.twitter.com/h1S5TCH7Bs
Real Madrid still have a game in hand over Sevilla, and Ronaldo will need to be at his best to turn their form around at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday.