Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he does not understand why some Real Madrid fans booed Cristiano Ronaldo during Wednesday's 3-0 win over Almeria.

Ronaldo appeared to kick the ball angrily into the net in reaction to Alvaro Arbeloa sneaking in front of him to score Madrid's third, and was seen trudging back to the halfway line rather than joining in the celebrations.

He was also greeted with jeers from sections of the Bernabeu crowd for instances of what they perceived to be selfish play during the match, but Ancelotti has claimed that is part of what makes the prolific Portuguese such a special player.

"He has scored all those goals because he has character and he always wants to improve," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"That is the reason he has scored so many goals for such a long time. I don't understand people in the Bernabeu who boo Cristiano."

Ronaldo has scored 50 goals for Madrid in all competitions this season, but has now gone three games without finding the net.