"We have a good advantage, but this is not closed," he said after the game. "Atletico is very strong, they are not in the semifinals by chance and we have to concentrate on [next] Wednesday."
Ronaldo became the first player to record three career hat tricks in the Champions League knockout stage, just two weeks after the second time he accomplished the feat against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.
He also went level with Lionel Messi with his seventh treble in the competition as a whole. Five of those came after he turned 30, while no one else has more than one upon entering their 30s.
Of Ronaldo's 52 career goals in the knockout stage, 13 of them have come in the semifinals, and he is the fourth player with a hat trick in this round -- the first since Robert Lewandowski in 2013.
His third goal also brought him on the cusp of another landmark, as it was his 399th with Real Madrid -- though the club already credits him with 400 because of one disputed goal in 2010.
Afterward, he attempted to remain humble, saying: "It was a total team match. The team has been phenomenal."
Following his performance against Bayern last month, Ronaldo asked the fans at the Bernabeu not to whistle him, and after his third goal on Tuesday he again gestured for supporters to applaud him instead.
He mimed a whistle by putting his fingers to his mouth, then shook his index fingers before clapping.
Asked about his celebration, Ronaldo said: "I just want you not to whistle me. Otherwise, I will always try to give everything for them."
ESPN
Ronaldo says Real Madrid's spot in final not yet sealed despite three goals advantage
Reviewed by Debo Olowu
on
May 02, 2017
Rating:
Reviewed by Debo Olowu
on
May 02, 2017
Rating:
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