The remarkable level of continuity shown by Cristiano Ronaldo at the highest European football level is continuing, as the Portuguese scored his 20th goal this season for Juventus against Sassuolos on Sunday.

Ronaldo scored head-to-head in Juventus’ easy 3-0 win at MAPEI, helping the Bianconeri take him to 11 points in the top of the Serie A standings.

This means that the 34-year-old has registered at least 20 goals in all races in each of the last 13 seasons.

This is an extraordinary level of sustainability from the Portuguese who is not showing signs of slowdown.

The startling start of his life in Turin means he is likely to be in the race to win the Ballon d’Or for the sixth time, 11 years after winning the best player in the world.

The last time Ronaldo failed to score at least 20 goals in all races within a season was 2005-06 when he recorded 12 goals in his third season in Manchester United.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde dismissed suggestions that Lionel Messi was not fully recovered to qualify for 0: 0 at Athletic Bilbao.

La Liga leader stopped for the third time in a row with no goals in all races. With Messi heading back from a slight injury, Athletic Club did not allow Barcelona to take full marks from San Mames.

Messi kicked Barça’s 1: 1 draw against Real Madrid in the first semi-finals of the King’s Cup on Wednesday, due to the blow he had taken in his squad, but was titled to Bilbao on Sunday.

The Argentine superstar was Barca’s most lively player, but still not at his usual level.

Consequently, Barcelona stopped because Philippe Coutinho did little to ease the burden on the team’s main man. However, Valverde insists that Messi was ready to play.

Speaking to journalists after the game, Valverde said: “Messi is very good, he played at 100% of it.”

“He has had some difficulties because we experienced them as a collective. But when he plays, he does because he is fully convinced that everything is fine, “he added.