Ronaldo revels in praising himself

Cristiano Ronaldo poses with the Golden Ball trophy after his hat-trick helped Real Madrid overcome the Kashima Antlers 4-2 after extra time in Sunday's FIFA Club World Cup final at International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. Kim Kyunghoon / Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo said he had answered his critics in style as he rounded off a "spectacular" year with a hat-trick to win the Club World Cup for Real Madrid and add to his multitude of titles.

After his heroics floored Japan's Kashima Antlers 4-2 in extra time on Sunday, the Portuguese superstar summed up a remarkable season in which he also lifted the Champions League, Super Cup, Euro 2016 and Ballon d'Or trophies.

"They always expect more of Cristiano," said Ronaldo.

"It's been a week full of joy after winning the Ballon d'Or too. I thank my teammates because without them Cristiano couldn't win these individual awards."

Ronaldo showed why he was voted the world's best player for a fourth time last week, but there were moments of the self-indulgence that makes him such a polarizing figure.

In the first half, he even tripped himself up as he attempted one of his trademark stepovers.

But as a tense final went into the extra period, Real's superstar pounced twice to bring the Spanish giant a second world title in three years and fifth in total.

It capped an astonishing year in which Ronaldo helped Real become champion of Europe for an 11th time, added a Super Cup and led Portugal to a stunning European championship triumph.

"The stats don't lie, as always," boasted the player of the tournament, referring to last week's Ballon d'Or award, which put him one behind fierce rival Lionel Messi's record five.

"People criticize me often, but I'm used to it," added the 31-year-old, who scored his 500th career club goal in Madrid's 2-0 semifinal win over Mexico's Club America.

"I've shown my quality on the pitch for many years and I had a spectacular season for Real Madrid and Portugal."