Real Madrid super sub Alvaro Morata has leapt to the aid of teammate and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting he is only human.

Ronaldo started the new season well below his regular standards, with the 31-year-old missing a string of great chances as his side edged a tough match against Athletic Bilbao 2-1 following a late winner on Sunday.

Morata, who scored Real’s crucial second goal on the 84th-minute mark, insists even the likes of Ronaldo can have an off night, claiming adamantly that the player is no machine.

‘When you’re used to scoring almost 70 goals a season, it’s almost like an addiction to goals,’ Morata told the club’s website. ‘For us he is the most important player in the team and I hope that he scores lots of goals, but he is not a machine.’

Ronaldo is the heavy favourite to lift the Ballon d’Or prize for the World’s Best Player award for 2016 having led Real to Champions League glory and claimed the European Championships with Portugal. Nevertheless, there have been hints that the star is facing an inevitable decline, despite still firing in goals at a remarkable rate.

‘He is a human being, even if he comes from another planet and is different, he also has the right to miss,’ Morata added.

Ronaldo has scored four goals from nine appearances so far this season, a full 10 goals less than arch-rival Lionel Messi, who has struck 14 times in 11 appearances.