Cristiano Ronaldo racked up his 400th career goal with a brace in Monday’s 3-0 win over Celta Vigo and afterwards dedicated his performance to Portuguese great Eusebio, who died on Sunday.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu. Pic/AFP

Madrid were made to work hard in the Primera Division encounter before Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 67th minute and Ronaldo put the result to bed.

The match at the Bernabeu was an emotional occasion for Ronaldo, who just hours earlier had joined with his countrymen in mourning the 71-year-old Eusebio as the Portugal legend was laid to rest in Lisbon.

A minute’s silence was observed at the Bernabeu ahead of kick-off and Ronaldo was keen to highlight the important role Eusebio played in his own development.

“The goals are for Eusebio,” he said. “I was very close to him and he helped me a lot. He is a legend for me and today is a sad day. We have lost one of the greatest players of all time.

I appreciate the tribute that the stadium and Spain have paid to him. To feel the warmth of Spain and the rest of the world is very important.”