Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo hit back at his critics after a remarkable 35th career hat-trick fired Real Madrid past VfL Wolfsburg in their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

Although he has amassed 46 goals in all competitions this season and is top scorer in the Champions League and La Liga, some fingers were pointed at Ronaldo earlier in the campaign for not performing in the biggest games.

The Portugal forward even walked out of a news conference in February after facing difficult questions.

"Considering this has been a 'bad' season for me it has not been that bad," Ronaldo told reporters after his treble led Real to a 3-0 second-leg win over Germans Wolfsburg that secured a 3-2 aggregate victory. "People can criticise me but I just keep on going and the numbers are there for all to see. I am very happy and with a month left of the season I can get even better. It was not the best, but one of my best, European nights," said Ronaldo.

"It's not bad is it? Goals are in my DNA and I want to keep scoring them for the team."

"It was a magic night for me. I'm very happy after having scored three goals and raised my numbers, but the most important thing was the team. The team was intense and played very well. It is a beautiful night.

Ronaldo has 16 goals in the Champions League this season and is on track to break his record of 17 set when Real won the competition in 2013-14.

He netted an all-time high of 11 goals in this season's group stages and against Wolfsburg notched a fifth Champions League hat-trick, matching Barcelona rival Lionel Messi's record. Real coach Zinedine Zidane was full of praise for his red-hot striker.

"What can I tell you about Cristiano?", said the Frenchman. "He is demonstrating how good he is. Cristiano needs the whole team too but not everyone can score three goals in a game."

Ronaldo's Real teammates were also all praise for him. "Cristiano deserved a magic night," said Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.

"We need him, he gives everything for the shirt. For a long time he has shown he is the No.1 and when he is on form you notice."

Ronaldo now has 12 goals in his last nine appearances - as well as four assists - taking his tally for the season to 46 goals and 15 assists in 42 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League. He is the top scorer in both competitions; at least four clear of any rival on either front.

Tuesday's hat-trick was his fifth in the Champions League. Of those, he has gone on to score a fourth goal five times, and has scored five goals in a game on two occasions. He now has 359 goals in all competitions in Real colours.

Around 57 per cent of his goals have come away from the Bernabeu while Sevilla are his favourite opponents, having scored 22 times against them. (REUTERS)