[UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] After failing to win a title in his first season at Real Madrid and then exiting quietly from the 2010 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo saw his stock sink. But the Portuguese star, more often in the news recently for off-the-field liaisons, has rediscovered his form, making him the hottest star in the world.

Ronaldo scored the first goal in the 13th minute to make it five goals in his last three matches and set up Mesut Ozil for the second goal a minute later as Real Madrid defeated AC Milan, 2-0, at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday in a battle of Europe's two most decorated teams.

"We knew we were taking on an experienced team but we are more concentrated against the better teams," said Ronaldo. "We played well especially in the first half and we are in great shape at the halfway point of the group stage."

Ronaldo's form is no surprise to new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who recently praised his countryman for his "positive selfishness."

Ronaldo had two goals in Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Malaga on Saturday after returning from national team duty with Portugal, for which he scored in 3-1 wins over Denmark and at Iceland.

After the Malaga game, Ronaldo said, "I knew the goals would come and most importantly, the team is performing well."

Ronaldo has nine goals in 12 games this season for Real Madrid and Portugal.