Real Madrid v Schalke: Cristiano Ronaldo to start Champions League tie, despite looming El Clasico, as he hunts down goal scoring records

The Portuguese has never been able to hide how much eclipsing Lionel Messi means to him

Cristiano Ronaldo pictured training for Real Madrid prior to his team's game against Schalke (GETTY IMAGES)

Cristiano Ronaldo may have won the Fifa Ballon d'Or earlier this year after four-years of Lionel Messi picking up the award, but it would seem the Real Madrid forward remains desperate to prove he is the best on the planet.

Carlo Ancelotti revealed yesterday that Ronaldo will start tonight's Champions League game against Schalke - despite it appearing an unnecessary risk.

Real Madrid are certain to go through to the quarter-finals after destroying the German team 6-1 in the first-leg. And with the small matter of Barcelona coming to the Bernabeu on Sunday for El Clasico, it might have been deemed wise to rest the former Manchester United player.

However, he will start the game and it's been suggested Ronaldo has pressured Ancelotti to put him in the starting line-up so he can pursue more goal scoring records.

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Ronaldo currently leads this season's Champions League goalscoring charts with 11. He is just one ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic while Messi has eight so far this term.

Ronaldo and Messi are also vying to be the first to overtake Real Madrid legend Raul's all-time Champions League goal scoring record of 71. Ronaldo has 62 goals in 98 games while Messi has 67 in 83.

Ronaldo will likely see tonight's game in the Spanish capital as a perfect opportunity to add to his tally having hit two in the first-leg.

Gareth Bale, who also scored a brace against Schalke, will be rested.