Three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Zinedine Zidane's impact in improving Real Madrid's fitness level after scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 rout of Espanyol on Sunday.

Madrid has now taken 10 points and scored 17 goals in four games since Zidane replaced Rafael Benitez last month.

Ronaldo insisted the turnaround is due to the Frenchman's demand for the squad to get fitter.