Cristiano Ronaldo wants to beat Messi to the Pichichi, says Granada's Lope

May 5, 2012 3:10:00 PM

The former Alcornon centre-half has warned his team-mates to beware of the Portuguese attacker who is gunning to be crowned the league's top scorer ahead of the Barca star

Granada defender Inigo Lopez is wary of facing Real Madrid on Saturday; particularly, Cristiano Ronaldo, who he believes will be fired up to beat Lionel Messi in the race for the Pichichi.

Los Blancos wrapped up the La Liga title midweek with a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao but Ronaldo, who has 44 league goals, is two behind his Argentine nemesis in the goalscoring charts with only two matches to play.

Granada are in 15th place and need two points to guarantee their top-flight status. Lopez, however, understands his team have a tough task on their hands to stop the newly-crowned champions at home this weekend.

"It will not be easy but we must try. It is true they have already won the league but they still have several records within record," the defender told Marca.

"Also, Cristiano Ronaldo is eager to score more goals to overtake Messi who is the top scorer [in the league]. His hunger could damage us."

"It is true that in the last few days they have been celebrating but in the end it is still Real Madrid and they will always come at you. In no event will they just let us win."

The 29-year-old concluded with a few words on his own team and stated the importance of remembering Granada are not yet safe from relegation.

"I've read in so many places that we are already safe and that's not true. We still need another two points to be mathematically sure so we cannot lose our last two games."

Lopez joined Granada in 2010 from Alcornon and has so far made 53 league appearances for the club.